In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the future of air travel in the Middle East, the Saudia Group has announced a massive order of 105 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. This historic deal marks the largest aircraft order ever placed by a Saudi airline and reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bold vision to become a leading global aviation hub.
The Saudia Group, which operates both the full-service national carrier Saudia and its low-cost airline subsidiary flyadeal, is aligning its strategic growth plans with the ambitious Vision 2030 framework. This initiative aims to diversify the Saudi economy, expand its tourism sector, and enhance its infrastructure — with aviation playing a central role.
The latest order was revealed at the prestigious Future Aviation Forum held in Riyadh, highlighting the nation’s increasing commitment to the aviation industry. The deal includes 12 Airbus A320neo and 93 larger A321neo aircraft, known for their fuel efficiency, advanced technology, and passenger comfort.
Powering Growth: Fleet Expansion to Meet Rising Demand
This significant aircraft order will help Saudia Group expand its current fleet and prepare for increased air travel demand, both from domestic travelers and international tourists. Saudi Arabia is expecting a major surge in visitors over the next decade as part of its tourism development plans.
The 105 new aircraft will be divided strategically between Saudia and flyadeal. Saudia will receive 54 A321neo aircraft, supporting its premium service offering across medium and long-haul routes. Flyadeal, the fast-growing budget carrier, will acquire 12 A320neo and 39 A321neo jets, which will be used to increase capacity and route frequency on its short- to medium-haul network.

The delivery schedule is spread out over the next few years to ensure a smooth and sustainable fleet integration. Flyadeal is scheduled to receive its first aircraft in early 2026, with deliveries continuing until 2030. Saudia will begin receiving aircraft from 2029 through 2032. This carefully timed rollout allows both airlines to strategically scale their operations in tandem with infrastructure developments across the country.
Aviation as a Catalyst for Vision 2030
At the heart of this aircraft order lies a broader national goal: Vision 2030. This comprehensive roadmap is designed to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and promote sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and transportation.
Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy targets over 150 million tourists annually by the end of the decade. To accommodate this ambitious goal, it is crucial for the Kingdom to offer robust and seamless connectivity across the country and to international markets. Saudia Group’s expansion is essential in fulfilling this objective.
By significantly growing its fleet, Saudia Group will help increase total air traffic capacity, add new destinations, and ensure that travelers can reach Saudi Arabia conveniently and comfortably. From new mega-cities like NEOM to cultural destinations in AlUla, the improved air network will play a pivotal role in connecting the world to Saudi Arabia’s evolving landscape.
Commitment to Sustainability and Efficiency
The Airbus A320neo family is widely regarded as one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft series in commercial aviation today. These aircraft deliver substantial cost savings in fuel consumption, lower maintenance needs, and reduced emissions compared to previous generations. They also generate less noise, supporting quieter airport operations.
Saudia Group’s decision to invest heavily in these models highlights its commitment to building a more sustainable and environmentally responsible aviation sector. The new aircraft are also compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is becoming a key focus area for the global airline industry in efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
As countries around the world adopt stricter environmental regulations and consumers demand greener travel options, the move positions Saudia and flyadeal ahead of the curve in sustainability. It also enhances Saudi Arabia’s international reputation as a forward-thinking nation embracing modern solutions in line with global environmental goals.
Expanding Domestic and Global Reach
Currently, Saudia operates flights to over 100 destinations across four continents. With the addition of the new aircraft, both Saudia and flyadeal are set to significantly boost their route networks and flight frequencies. This will especially benefit underserved regional airports within Saudi Arabia, making air travel more accessible to the population while also supporting regional economic growth.
For international routes, the A321neo provides added flexibility with its extended range and higher passenger capacity. This opens up new possibilities for long narrow-body routes connecting Saudi cities directly to secondary international markets without stopovers or transfers.
The modern fleet will allow Saudia and flyadeal to maintain competitive ticket pricing, improve on-time performance, and deliver a more consistent in-flight experience. As a result, Saudi Arabia is expected to become a more attractive transit and destination hub for travelers from Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond.
Economic and Job Market Impact
Beyond the obvious operational benefits, this deal is expected to significantly stimulate the Saudi economy. With such a large fleet expansion, new job opportunities will be created in aircraft maintenance, pilot training, ground operations, airport services, and more.
Moreover, the Kingdom’s emphasis on increasing local content in the aviation supply chain means that more parts, services, and training programs will be sourced or developed locally. This supports national goals of industrial development and human capital growth.
The aviation sector is also seen as a multiplier for other industries. Improved connectivity boosts tourism, hospitality, retail, logistics, and business travel — all key contributors to the non-oil GDP.
Shaping the Future of Saudi Aviation
This bold aircraft purchase by Saudia Group is more than a business transaction — it’s a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision and commitment to becoming a world-class travel and logistics hub.
With one of the largest orders of narrow-body aircraft in the region, Saudia and flyadeal are clearly signaling their intent to dominate the skies of the Middle East and beyond. By embracing modern aircraft, sustainable practices, and growth strategies aligned with national goals, the Group is set to play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of air travel in Saudi Arabia.
As the Kingdom accelerates toward becoming a top global destination and aviation powerhouse, this move by Saudia Group sends a clear message to the world: Saudi Arabia is open for business, open for tourism, and open for the future.