Saudi Arabian Airlines announces new partnership agreement with Lockheed Martin

The new agreement will leverage the technical and commercial strengths of both companies to expand economic development in the Kingdom and create high value technical jobs for Saudi nationals.

Saudi Arabian Airlines and Lockheed Martin are already exploring the creation of a new training organization to provide technical training for the aviation and aerospace industry in the military and commercial sectors.

"We are excited about this initiative which combines our long, successful, history in aviation training and development with Lockheed Martin's capabilities and experience in the global security and aerospace sectors,"

says Khalid Almolhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

"Saudi Arabia is strategically important to Lockheed Martin. Our team in the Kingdom is committed to working with Saudi Arabian Airlines and other local partners to develop business opportunities which sustain long-term jobs for Saudi nationals in the security, aerospace and commercial sectors," said Marillyn Hewson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

The new Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Mr. Almolhem and Ms. Hewson in the presence of His Highness Prince Fahad Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed, President of GACA and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines and James B. Smith US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin has already partnered with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology and Al-Faisal University in Riyadh, helping to develop the next generation of talented young Saudi professionals.

The company inaugurated its new Riyadh headquarters on February 02, 2013.

With more than six decade's history in aviation maintenance and approved training, with certification from world renowned authorities, Saudi Arabian Airlines operates commercial aircraft to the highest safety standards and provides support services for some military aircraft.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2bn.