Saudia Group, Airbus Sign Landmark Aircraft Deal

DALLAS — Saudia Group and Airbus have signed a historic deal for 105 aicraft, the largest in Saudi aviation history and a milestone for the wider MENA region.

The deal was announced during the first day of the Future Aviation Forum 2024 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft Business at Airbus, includes the purchase of A320neo and A321neo models.

These aircraft will be distributed between Saudia (SV) and flyadeal (F3), the group's low-cost carrier. According to the group's announcement via X, "Saudia will acquire 54 A321neo aircraft, while flyadeal will receive 12 A320neo and 39 A321neo aircraft."

The new aircraft will support the group's objective "to connect the world with the Kingdom," aligning with several key pillars of Saudi Vision 2030," which includes increasing guest capacity to 330 million and expanding destinations to 250 by 2030.

Additionally, the Airbus deal will help the tourism objective of attracting 150 million visits by 2030 and the Hajj and Umrah objective of increasing Umrah pilgrim capacity to 30 million by 2030.

The Future of the Airbus A320 Family

The newly acquired fuel-efficient A320 family aircraft feature spacious cabins with stylish interior designs. They'll come equipped with the latest amenities and technology, providing a differentiated travel experience that prioritizes passenger comfort and privacy.

Saudia Technic, the group's Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) arm, will provide comprehensive maintenance services. This will be further supported by the upcoming completion of the MRO Village at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which will significantly increase the company's service capacity.

The signing of this agreement represents a significant investment by Saudia Group in the growth and advancement of the Saudi aviation industry. The purchase "will create jobs, increase local content, and contribute to the national economy," as stated by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group via X.

As the Saudia Group joins Air India (AI)—with 250 aircraft, Turkish Airlines (TK)—with 220 aircraft, and easyJet (U2)—with 157 aircraft, all Airbus A320 Family orders, plus some A350s, happening in the last 18 months, the deal marks a major milestone in the development of the Saudi aviation industry and sets the stage for further growth and collaboration in the future.