Saudia to Expand Fleet with 12 Passenger and Cargo Aircraft by 2026
Saudi Arabia's flag carrier Saudia plans to receive 12 new passenger aircraft and purchase cargo planes by 2026, as part of a broader order of 191 aircraft for the airline and its low-cost subsidiary flyadeal.
Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, is set to expand its fleet with the addition of 12 new passenger aircraft and the acquisition of additional cargo planes by 2026.
This move is part of a larger order comprising 191 aircraft for Saudia and its budget subsidiary flyadeal, as revealed by Abdullah Al-Shahrani, Saudia’s director of corporate communications, in an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.
The announcement in May 2024 of the largest aviation order in Saudi history, a deal with Airbus for 105 confirmed aircraft, highlights the airline's growth ambitions.
This includes 50 A320neo and A321neo models allocated to flyadeal, aiming to expand its fleet from 32 current Airbus A320neo jets to over 100 by 2030, increasing its network from 30 destinations to more than 100 within six years.
The aviation sector's contribution to the Saudi economy in 2023 was approximately $20 billion, according to a report cited by the General Authority of Civil Aviation.
Saudia aims to capitalize on the cargo boom driven by increased air freight operations and the growth of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, planning to allocate dedicated cargo areas even on passenger aircraft for smaller items.
Saudia’s expansion marks a significant milestone not just for the airline but also for the Middle East and North Africa region.
The fleet is set to increase from 144 to 256 aircraft by incorporating these new orders, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2032.
Saudia's strategic moves are in line with Vision 2030, aiming to bolster Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry.
The aviation sector has attracted substantial investment opportunities worth $100 billion, with more than 70 agreements and deals totaling $12 billion signed during the 2024 Future Aviation Conference.
These developments reflect the growing influence of Saudi Arabia's aviation ambitions on a global scale.