Saudi Arabian Airlines will purchase more than 100 new aircraft in five years to strengthen its domestic and international operations, it was announced Tuesday.

The decision was taken during the airline’s board meeting, chaired by Sulaiman Al-Humaidan, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and chairman of the national flag carrier.

The meeting, which was attended by Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, director general of Saudia and other board members, discussed the airline’s five-year strategic plan (2015 to 2020) and measures to strengthen its operations and improve customer services, said an official statement received by Arab News.

Earlier, Al-Jasser gave a presentation on the airline’s five-year strategic plan, which was prepared with the support of a specialized international consultancy firm. He said the plan was aimed at taking the airline to new heights of progress, making use of its potentials and resources.

“The plan focuses on strengthening Saudia’s operational efficiency, continuous modernization of fleet by purchasing more than 100 new aircraft to meet growing domestic passenger requirements and expand the airline’s international operations,” the director general said.

The plan also aims at improving the performance of Saudia employees, especially its frontline staff who deal with passengers and other customers, as well as to modernize the airline’s infrastructure and that of its strategic units.

“The plan also covers the completion of the airline’s privatization process,” Al-Jasser said.

Saudia had earlier ordered for 90 state-of-the-art aircraft from Boeing and Airbus and has received 78 of them. “We have received two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft during the first quarter of this year,” a senior Saudia official told Arab News.

The official, who requested anonymity, said the move to purchase more than 100 new aircraft would enable the airline to operate more flights to Saudi cities as well as to new foreign destinations.

The board meeting also discussed flight disruptions during sandstorms that hit many airports in the Kingdom. Sandstorms had forced the airline either to cancel or delay some of its flights to ensure passenger and aircraft safety. It also discussed measures to reduce the effect of weather changes.