In a strategic move to expand its fleet and international reach, Saudia Group has signed a new agreement with Airbus to acquire up to 20 wide-body A330neo aircraft, including 10 confirmed orders for its low-cost carrier flyadeal.
The deal was formalised during a ceremony at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, attended by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business. The agreement was signed by Saleh Eid, vice president of fleet management at Saudia Group, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus executive vice president of sales for commercial aircraft.
Deliveries are set to begin in 2027, with the full order expected to be completed by 2029. The A330neo aircraft, known for its fuel efficiency, extended range and operational flexibility, will be instrumental in expanding the Group’s global footprint.
“Today’s deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernise and expand our fleet,” said Ibrahim. “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 travellers and 150 million tourists by 2030.”
The acquisition is part of the Group’s wider modernisation agenda to improve operational efficiency and support Saudi Arabia’s tourism and economic diversification plans. Saudia currently operates 194 aircraft across its commercial, cargo and logistics divisions, with a further 191 aircraft already on order.
Commenting on the partnership, Benoît 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. 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.”
The move is expected to position flyadeal as one of the few low-cost carriers operating long-haul wide-body aircraft, providing new travel opportunities for passengers and helping connect Saudi Arabia to untapped global markets.
This latest development follows Saudia’s recent recognition as the “World’s Most Improved Airline 2024” by Skytrax and reaffirms the airline’s continued investment in upgrading its fleet and service offerings.
Saudia is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and currently serves around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in the Kingdom. 