Saudia Group expands partnership with Airbus, adding 20 new aircraft to its fleet
Riyadh — Saudia Group has taken a major step in advancing its aviation strategy by expanding its historic partnership with Airbus to include an additional 20 new aircraft for its Saudia and Flyadeal airlines.
The move builds on last year’s record-breaking agreement, marking another proud milestone for Saudi Arabia’s growing aviation industry.
The new aircraft will play a crucial role in enhancing global connectivity, promoting tourism, and contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
In May, Saudia Group made history by signing the largest aircraft deal in the Kingdom’s aviation sector — a landmark purchase of 105 A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
Now, with this expansion, the group is adding 20 A330neo aircraft, further strengthening its long-term strategic collaboration with Airbus.
The signing ceremony was held at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, bringing together senior officials, diplomats, and aviation leaders.
Khaled Tash, Chief Marketing Officer of Saudia Group, said the expanded agreement reflects the airline’s commitment to connecting the world to Saudi Arabia.
He said: “Our mission has evolved beyond connecting Saudi Arabia to the world — we now aim to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.”
Tash added that the additional aircraft will enhance Saudia’s capacity to meet growing travel demand while supporting tourism, sports, culture, and business development.
The expansion also supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal of transporting 330 million passengers and serving 30 million pilgrims annually.
Saudia’s strengthened fleet will help achieve these targets by enabling more routes, better passenger experiences, and improved operational efficiency.
The new aircraft will also enhance services for annual Hajj and year-round Umrah operations, extending reach into Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Flyadeal, Saudia’s low-cost subsidiary, will acquire 10 of the new A330-900neo aircraft as part of the expanded deal.
Steven Greenway, CEO of Flyadeal, said the new aircraft would allow the airline to expand globally and increase accessibility to the Kingdom for international travelers.
“These wide-body aircraft allow Flyadeal to fly longer distances — up to 12 hours — giving us access to destinations such as Manila and Indonesia,” Greenway explained.
He added that the expansion provides “flexibility, growth, and more opportunities to boost tourism and hospitality in Saudi Arabia.”
The agreement was formalized with a memorandum of understanding signed between Saudia Group and Airbus at the Toulouse factory.
The MoU was signed by Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management at Saudia Group, and Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President of Sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
The signing represents not only a business deal but also a shared vision of growth, innovation, and long-term collaboration.
Director General of Saudia Group, Ibrahim Al-Omar, described the expansion as “a pivotal milestone” in the Group’s transformation strategy.
He said, “Today’s deal builds upon last year’s success and reflects our ongoing ambition to modernize our fleet and drive national development.”
Al-Omar emphasized that the expanded deal will create jobs, stimulate tourism, and elevate Saudi Arabia’s position as a global aviation hub.
Benoit de Saint-Exupery of Airbus praised Saudia Group’s leadership in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation goals.
“Saudia Group’s A330neo order for Flyadeal marks a key step in unlocking long-haul markets and attracting new customers,” he said.
He highlighted that the A330neo’s efficiency and comfort make it ideal for Saudia’s expanding international operations.
Deliveries of the A330neo aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2027, with all 20 new planes set to join the fleet by 2029.
The expansion aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to become a leading aviation hub, connecting more than 250 global destinations by the end of the decade.
This major development signals a promising future for Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry — one that reflects ambition, innovation, and progress.
