Saudia inks pact with Airbus to acquire up to 20 wide-body aircraft

Toulouse: Saudia Group, on Wednesday, unveiled details of an aircraft deal with Airbus, ordering up to 20 new wide-body A330neo aircraft to enhance its growing fleet. The agreement includes a firm order of 10 aircraft for flyadeal, the Group’s low-cost carrier.  

The versatile A330neo model aligns with Saudia Group's strategy to expand its operational reach and introduce a wider range of destinations. The deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2027 and will continue through 2029.

“Today’s deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernize and expand our fleet,” said Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group. “It builds on last year’s historic deal with Airbus for 105 aircraft. This step aligns with our national strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to connect 250 destinations and facilitate the travel of over 330 million travelers and 150 million tourists by 2030.”  

He said, “This deal supports Saudia Group’s plans to grow and improve its operations. It adds to the modernization of our fleet, improves aircraft maintenance, and makes our overall operations more efficient.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft business, said, “Saudia Group’s A330neo order for flyadeal marks a key step in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation ambition to unlock long-haul markets and attract new customers."

He added, "The A330neo’s proven versatility, new-generation efficiency, and excellent passenger experience will perfectly support Saudia Group’s strategic growth and solidify their position as a global aviation leader. We look forward to seeing this versatile champion fly in flyadeal colours.”

Currently, Saudia Group operates a substantial fleet of 194 aircraft, catering to commercial aviation, cargo operations, and logistics services. The Group is poised for significant growth with a total of 191 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years. This expansion is expected to significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia's national economic growth and support various strategic initiatives and major events aimed at attracting global attention and tourism to the Kingdom.