Saudi Arabia has made a historic announcement about the purchase of 105 Airbus aircraft by its national airline, Saudia. The agreement is not only significant for the Saudi aeronautical industry but also for the entire Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.
The order comes after a previous order of 72 aircraft announced by Riyadh Air, a new company established in March 2023. Saudi authorities also revealed plans to build a new airport in Riyadh capable of handling 120 million passengers annually. Currently, Saudia has a fleet of 144 aircraft, while flyadeal has 32 planes. Deliveries for the new aircraft will begin in 2026 and continue until 2032.
Saudi Arabia’s focus on aviation is driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision to transform the country into a trade and tourism hub as part of his Vision 2030 reform program. Saudia received its first jet in 1945 as a gift from American President Franklin Roosevelt and has since become an important public carrier in the region.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, director-general of Saudia, highlighted how Vision 2030 led to this important agreement that will create jobs and boost the national economy. Last year, Saudia announced a deal with Boeing for 39 Dreamliner planes, while Riyadh Air revealed plans to acquire 39 Boeing Dreamliners. This latest purchase is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to catch up with other neighbors in the region like Dubai and Qatar who excel in the aviation industry.
The busy airports of Dubai and Doha present strong competition for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to increase its passenger traffic and modernize its aviation infrastructure to meet future demands. With these new aircraft purchases, Saudia aims to take advantage of opportunities presented by Vision 2030 and position itself as a major player in the global aviation industry.
