Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, plans to receive 12 new passenger aircraft and purchase cargo planes by 2026, part of a broader order of 191 aircraft for the airline and Adel Aviation, a senior official said.

Speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper, Abdullah Al-Shahrani, the airline’s director of corporate communications, said that the deliveries are part of a broader plan covering 191 new aircraft for Saudia and its low-cost subsidiary flyadeal.

In May 2024, the Saudia Group unveiled the largest aircraft order in the history of Saudi aviation — a deal with Airbus for 105 confirmed aircraft, including 50 A320neo and A321neo models for flyadeal.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector contributed around $20 billion to the Saudi economy in 2023, Al-Eqtisadiah stated, citing a report by the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

“Saudia has a major expansion plan in the cargo sector, driven by the cargo boom in Saudi Arabia, including air freight operations and rapidly growing e-commerce, with shipments now reaching customers within a few days,” Al-Shahrani told Al-Eqtisadiah.

He added: “The airline will allocate dedicated cargo areas on passenger aircraft to carry small items.”

Flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudia, will support its growth objectives through the expansion of its fleet from 32 Airbus A320neo aircraft to more than 100 by 2030, increasing its network from 30 domestic and international destinations to over 100 within six years.

Saudia’s aircraft orders mark a significant milestone not only for the Saudi aviation industry but also for the wider Middle East and North Africa region. 

Prior to the deal, Saudia had a fleet of 144 aircraft, while Flyadeal had 32. Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2026 and continue through 2032.

On the sidelines of the 2024 Future Aviation Conference, Saudi Arabia unveiled investment opportunities in the aviation sector worth $100 billion and signed more than 70 agreements and deals totaling $12 billion.

Riyadh Air announced at the 55th Paris Air Show in June a purchase order for 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, including 25 confirmed jets and options for 25 additional planes.

Meanwhile, flynas signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 160 new aircraft: 30 wide-body A330neo planes and 130 single-aisle aircraft, including the A320neo, A321neo, and A321LR.