Saudia Weighs Record Airbus and Boeing Jet Order as Saudi Tourism Drive Gains Pace

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia is holding early-stage discussions with aircraft manufacturers about a potential fleet order that could become the largest in its history, as the kingdom accelerates its push to expand aviation capacity and support fast-growing tourism demand.

According to people familiar with the talks, Saudia is evaluating a purchase of at least 150 aircraft, spanning both narrowbody and widebody models. The discussions, reported this week, involve both Boeing and Airbus, although no final decisions have been made on aircraft types, quantities, or delivery timelines. Sources stress that the negotiations remain preliminary and may not ultimately result in a firm agreement.

If concluded, the order would allow Saudia to simultaneously replace older aircraft and expand its fleet, which currently stands at around 200 jets. The airline is under pressure to grow capacity as Saudi Arabia targets a sharp rise in passenger traffic linked to religious travel, business travel, and inbound tourism under the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

Saudia Current Fleet

Airbus A320-200 – 37 in service, used on short- and medium-haul routes.
Airbus A321-200 – 15 active narrowbody jets.
Airbus A321neo – 12 in service, with 62 more on order.
Airbus A321neoXLR – 15 on order.
Airbus A330-300 – 31 jets.
Boeing 777-200ER – 2 aircraft, leased from partners.
Boeing 777-300ER – 37 in service, 2 in VIP configuration.
Boeing 787-9 – 13 jets in active service, with 18 more on order.
Boeing 787-9 – 8 jets in active service, with 21 more on order.

Saudia has already been active in the aircraft market in recent years. In 2024, the airline placed an order for more than 100 Airbus narrowbody aircraft to modernize its short- and medium-haul operations. A year earlier, it committed to dozens of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including additional purchase options, to strengthen its long-haul fleet. Any new deal would build on those commitments and further reshape the carrier’s aircraft portfolio over the next decade.

Under Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation strategy, Saudia is expected to focus increasingly on core markets such as domestic services, regional connectivity, and religious travel linked to Hajj and Umrah. The government-backed strategy positions Saudia as a high-capacity network carrier serving mass travel flows, while newer airline ventures are tasked with capturing different market segments.

In contrast, Riyadh Air, the kingdom’s new international airline, has been positioned as a premium-focused carrier targeting global travelers and long-haul point-to-point markets. Together, the two airlines form the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s plan to transform itself into a major global aviation and tourism hub.

Alongside fleet planning, Saudia has been refreshing its leadership team, expanding partnerships, and investing in product upgrades. These include cabin refurbishments and plans to introduce Starlink satellite internet connectivity on select aircraft, aimed at improving the onboard experience and aligning the airline more closely with international competitors.

While any major order remains uncertain, the scale of the discussions underscores the intensity of Saudi Arabia’s aviation expansion and the central role Saudia is expected to play as air traffic, tourism, and religious travel volumes continue to rise sharply through the end of the decade.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, seekingalpha.com