Senior representatives from Saudia Group, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, visited the Airbus factory in Hamburg yesterday, 16th July, 2024 to mark the news that Saudia has signed a milestone deal with Airbus, the largest in Saudi aviation history.
Saudia Group signed the largest aircraft deal in the history of Saudi aviation with Airbus in May 2024, securing 105 A320neo Family aircraft.
The partnership allocates 54 A321neo aircraft to Saudia and 51 to flyadeal, comprising 12 A320neo and 39 A321neo models respectively
This acquisition enhances Saudia's fleet, positioning it among the world's most modern, thereby bolstering its global aviation stature and aiming to further Saudia Group's objective of connecting the world to the Kingdom.
The deal underscores Saudia Group's commitment to enhancing global connectivity and solidifies its leadership in regional and global aviation markets. The expansion of Saudia's fleet not only supports increased flight frequencies and network expansion but also reinforces its role in bridging continents.
Further capacity across Saudia Group’s fleet will strengthen Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for entertainment, sports, and major events, bolstering its global influence. The deal boosts local content, fosters business entrepreneurship, and fuels sustainable economic growth for the Kingdom.
Emphasising a holistic investment strategy, the deal will also prioritise local workforce development and technology transfer, fostering innovation across the aviation sector, and contributing to local content worth an estimated SAR 2.5 billion by transforming the Saudi SME sector into essential contributors within Airbus' global supply chain.
Saudia Technic, a subsidiary of Saudia Group, will become an authorised maintenance centre for Airbus at a national and regional level, while Saudia Academy, the training arm of Saudia Group, will play a pivotal role in training and developing competencies according to the highest industry standards, ensuring the effective operation of this large number of aircraft and efficient management of flights.
The aircraft deal bolsters the strategic and diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Europe as it creates significant investment opportunities and fosters the creation of high calibre, direct and indirect jobs in the Airbus manufacturing countries across Europe, particularly in Germany.
It underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and technological advancement, fostering collaboration in renewable energy, aerospace engineering, and climate resilience initiatives
The deal also serves as a cornerstone for deeper cultural exchanges and educational partnerships, enhancing mutual understanding and fostering long-term friendships.
