Saudia – Page 2

Saudia

Saudia Cargo increases February freighter capacity from Nairobi to Amsterdam

News Desk Feb 10, 2013 0

Jeddah, Saudia Cargo has announced that it will operate four additional freighter flights from Nairobi to Amsterdam to meet demand for flowers in the traditionally busy month of February. The additional flights will be operated with a mix of MD11 and Boeing 747F.

Saudia

Saudi Arabian Airlines – Saudia Launches the Long Anticipated Privatization Starting with its Catering Unit

News Desk Jun 19, 2012 0

Saudi Airlines Catering Company was granted approval by the country’s capital markets regulatory body - Capital Market Authority (CMA) to sell 30 percent of its shares in an initial public offering (IPO).

Appointments Saudia

Saudi Airlines Cargo Appoints a New Cargo Manager for Pakistan

News Desk Jun 6, 2012 0

Saudi Airlines Cargo Company announced the appointment of Kashif Butt as Cargo Manager Pakistan, effective 1st June 2012.

Saudia

Saudia Joins SkyTeam Becoming the First in the Middle East for the Global Airline Alliance

News Desk May 29, 2012 0

Jeddah, SkyTeam the global airline alliance today announced, Saudia as its 16th member at a ceremony held in Jeddah. The flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia becomes SkyTeam’s first member airline from the Middle East and provides the alliance a network presence in the region.

Saudia

Sabre and Saudia Arabian Airlines Extend Distribution Agreement

News Desk May 28, 2012 0

Jeddah, Sabre Travel Network Middle East (STNME or Sabre), a technology company serving travel agencies and suppliers, has extended its fare-distribution agreement with Saudia Arabian Airlines (Saudia). The agreement shall permit over 350,000 travel agents connected to Sabre to access Saudia’s seats and fare information.

Saudia

Saudi Airlines Cargo Announce Campaign to Promote “Fly Your Car” Service for the Transport of Passenger’s Vehicle

News Desk May 23, 2012 0

Saudi Airlines Cargo announced the launch of a campaign to promote the features of its "Fly Your Car" service. It offers the shipment of the passenger's vehicle while on vacation, this service is available internationally utilizing the airline’s route network.

Saudia

Saudi Airlines Cargo Company Increase Frequency of Freighter Flights N’Djamena in Chad

News Desk May 7, 2012 0

Jeddah, Saudi Airlines Cargo Co. has announced it is increasing its freighter services to N’Djamena (Chad) to twice weekly via Jeddah. The airline, which commenced operating to N’Djamena in June 2011, is now introducing a second flight with its Boeing 747Fs.

Corporate Profile: Saudia

Founded in 1945, Saudia is one of the largest and most historic airlines in the Middle East. Headquartered in Jeddah, the airline is currently undergoing a “Era of Transformation” as a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030. In 2026, Saudia has fully transitioned into its new identity, focusing on its role as the national carrier connecting the world to the Kingdom’s heritage, tourism, and holy sites.

The 2026 Rebrand and Digital Era

A New Visual Identity: In late 2023, Saudia launched a comprehensive rebrand that returned to its roots with a modern twist. The new livery features three symbolic colors: Green (national pride), Blue (sky and sea), and Sand (the richness of the desert).
AI-First Passenger Experience: By early 2026, Saudia has fully integrated Generative AI into its mobile app and website. Its virtual assistant, “SAUDIA,” can now handle entire booking flows, document verification, and personalized travel itineraries in real-time.
“Saudi, Welcome to Arabia”: As of January 2026, the airline has debuted several Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a special “Welcome to Arabia” livery, acting as airborne billboards for the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Fleet and Operational Strategy (2026 Status)

Saudia is currently managing one of the largest fleet expansions in aviation history, with a goal to reach 318 aircraft across the Saudia Group (including Flyadeal):

Airbus A321XLR Debut: In May 2026, Saudia is scheduled to officially launch operations for its new Airbus A321XLR fleet. These long-range narrow-body jets feature 24 lie-flat Business Class seats (VantageSOLO) and will replace larger wide-body aircraft on routes to Milan, Barcelona, Rome, and Dakar to increase frequency and efficiency.
Dreamliner Dominance: The Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 have become the backbone of the long-haul fleet. In July 2026, Saudia will launch its first-ever Dreamliner service to the United States (Jeddah to Washington Dulles), marking a shift toward more fuel-efficient, two-class operations for its North American gateways.
Regional Network: The airline serves over 100 destinations globally. In February 2026, it expanded its Indian network by adding Kozhikode as its seventh destination in the country.

The Two-Hub Strategy: Jeddah vs. Riyadh

With the rise of Riyadh Air (launching late 2026/early 2027), Saudia has clarified its strategic focus:

Jeddah (JED): Remains the primary global hub for Saudia, focusing on Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and the burgeoning tourism sector on the Red Sea coast.
Riyadh (RUH): In January 2026, Saudia moved its operations into the newly expanded International Terminal 2 at King Khalid International Airport, sharing the facility with its sister carrier Riyadh Air to facilitate smooth domestic-to-international transfers.

Key Data

Feature	Details
Founded	1945
Headquarters	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Director General	H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar
Primary Hubs	King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED) & King Khalid Int’l (RUH)
Alliance	SkyTeam (Member since 2012)
IATA / ICAO Code	SV / SVA