Today, Her Royal Highness Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States, visited a Boeing facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to celebrate the recently concluded deal. Between Saudi Arabian Airlines, Riyadh Airlines, and the American Boeing Company for the purchase of up to 121 Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” aircraft, as this deal is the fifth largest commercial aircraft deal in terms of value in the history of Boeing.
During this occasion, Her Highness met with the CEO of Saudi Arabian Airlines Ibrahim Al-Kashi, CEO of Riyadh Airlines Tony Douglas, President and CEO of Boeing David Calhoun, the Boeing team and the participants in the celebration, who are Republican Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham, and Governor Henry McMaster.
HRH Princess Rima delivered a speech during the ceremony, in which she thanked the Boeing Company team for their efforts, noting the deep historical roots of Saudi-American commercial relations, as she indicated that in 1945, pilot Joe Grant, one of the American pilots who participated in World War II, took over the pilotage of a plane. An American-made Douglas DC to the Kingdom, as that plane was a gift from His Excellency President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the late, God willing, King Abdul Aziz Al Saud – may God rest his soul in peace – and this gift represented a symbol of friendship and a sign of the beginning of Saudi aviation, as well It was the first plane that launched the Kingdom’s first national airline.
She said, “On this day, the friendship and partnership that began eight decades ago between President Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz – may God rest his soul in peace – continues, wishing it prosperity and growth.”
And she stressed the importance of this deal, stressing: “In only a few years, Boeing planes will transport millions of tourists to the Kingdom, and this trip may be the first for many of them, which would contribute to deepening the relations between our two peoples and would also contribute to a rapprochement.” our cultures.”
For his part, Al-Kashi said: “Today’s event represents a great appreciation for the strong and lasting relations between the Kingdom and the United States, which were built over many years and over many generations, through a solid and long-term partnership with Boeing,” stressing commitment to continue cooperation to achieve the vision of the airline. To contribute to the advancement of the aviation sector in the region, focusing mainly on the concept of sustainability.
He added: “Our recent order to purchase 49 Dreamliner aircraft, which are known for their high fuel efficiency, is further evidence of our firm commitment to enhancing the growth of our network to support the Kingdom’s ambitious plans, with the aim of turning it into a world-class tourist destination.”
SPA