AerCap Holdings N.V. has announced a new agreement to lease two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Mukamalah Aviation Company, a subsidiary of Aramco operating as Aloula Aviation. These aircraft will support the transportation of passengers within the Aramco Group in Saudi Arabia.
This partnership extends the long-standing relationship between AerCap and Aramco, which previously focused on helicopter leasing through Milestone Aviation, AerCap's helicopter leasing division. The new collaboration highlights AerCap's diverse offerings in both rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft.
Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, commented on the expanded relationship: “We are pleased to grow our partnership with Aramco and Aloula from helicopter leasing to passenger aircraft. Supporting Aloula with their first directly leased aircraft for passenger operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a privilege, and we wish them great success in this endeavour.”
Established in 1934 as Saudi Aramco Aviation, Aloula Aviation is Saudi Arabia's first aviation company and the second in the Middle East. Based in Dammam, the company operates over 60 aircraft, serving various purposes, including oil exploration and passenger transportation. Aloula also manages operations at 18 airports across Saudi Arabia, including full management of nine and supports more than 300 helipads onshore and offshore.
This agreement underscores Aloula's efforts to modernise and expand its fleet while reinforcing its pivotal role in advancing Saudi Arabia's aviation infrastructure.