Saudia has announced plans to receive 12 new aircraft by the end of 2026, pushing its total fleet to 161 aircraft as the national carrier ramps up capacity to meet demand.
The delivery schedule, revealed May 30, includes Airbus A321neos and follows Saudia’s recent milestone as the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate the A321XLR—Airbus’s newest extra-long-range, single-aisle aircraft.
Saudia Group Director General Ibrahim Al-Omar described the expansion as part of a “disciplined approach” to building operational readiness for the airline’s next growth phase.
“In a highly competitive aviation sector, modernizing and growing the fleet must be guided by clear market insight, network requirements, and alignment with national priorities under Saudi Vision 2030,” Al-Omar said. “This level of planning also extends to operational readiness, ensuring that each new aircraft entering service is supported by the required operational and maintenance capabilities.”
The airline has been investing heavily in workforce development alongside its fleet buildup, graduating new cohorts of pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance specialists through training programs aligned with international aviation standards.
“Preparing the workforce for fleet expansion is just as important as preparing the aircraft themselves,” Al-Omar said.
Saudia’s expansion supports Saudi Arabia’s broader goal of attracting more than 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
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