Tag Archives: Saudia

Saudia becomes first Middle East and Africa operator of the Airbus A321XLR

Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has taken delivery of its first A321XLR, marking a significant milestone as the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate Airbus’ newest extra-long-range single-aisle aircraft.

The aircraft, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, is the first of 15 A321XLRs on order by the airline. This delivery is a cornerstone of Saudia’s comprehensive fleet modernisation program, directly supporting the expansion of its international network in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. By increasing connectivity and capacity, the A321XLR will support the Kingdom’s ambition to attract over 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.

This delivery reinforces a partnership between Airbus and Saudia that spans more than 40 years, beginning with the carrier’s first A300 delivery in 1984. Today, Airbus aircraft remain central to Saudia’s operations as it scales its fleet development and network growth.

Saudia currently serves more than 100 destinations across four continents, with the A321XLR supporting further expansion into new international markets. With a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, the A321XLR enables Saudia to expand its international destinations with a single-aisle aircraft. These routes would have traditionally been served by larger widebody aircraft, while maintaining a premium guest experience.

The aircraft features a highly premium, low-density configuration with 24 full flat Business Class seats providing direct aisle access, alongside 120 comfortable Economy Class seats. The aircraft features the Airbus Airspace Cabin, bringing a widebody experience to a single-aisle jet. Key features include extra-large overhead bins, advanced lighting systems and one of the quietest cabins in its class.

Saudia launches the Riyadh – Zurich route

Saudia inaugurated the first direct flight to its new international destination Zurich, Switzerland in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program.

To commemorate the occasion, SAUDIA organized an inauguration ceremony at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh in the presence of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Switzerland to the Kingdom, Dr. Andreas Schaller, the Chief Commercial Officer of SAUDIA, Mr. Arved Nikolaus Von Zur Muhlen, the VP Strategy & Communication from the Air Connectivity Program, Mr. Sultan Alotaify, and the VP of Route Development Ms. Anita Gackowska, along with a number of government officials working at the airport.

At the departure gate, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place to launch the new route as SAUDIA employees bid farewell to the traveling guests.

The aircraft was received with a water salute to welcome the first direct flight from Saudi Arabia in Zurich International Airport where SAUDIA held another celebration for the return flight from Zurich to Riyadh in line with its goal to bring the world to the Kingdom. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Switzerland, Dr. Adel Siraj Mirdad, and the Regional SAUDIA Manager in Europe, the Mr. Hisham Bindkhail.

SAUDIA’s new route connecting Riyadh to Zurich will further utilize the airline’s extensive fleet, catering to guests with a range of convenient check-in methods, high-quality onboard services, and a comfortable flight experience that underlines the flag carrier’s commitment to excellence.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR ZURICH

Flight number	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Frequency
SV 0235	Riyadh 8:45	Zurich 14:05	Twice a week (Sundays and Wednesdays)
SV 0234	Zurich 15:20	Riyadh 21:55	Twice a week (Sundays and Wednesdays)

*All times local.

Saudia aircraft photo gallery:

Saudia to regularly operate to Neom Bay Airport (NUM)

Saudia has made this announcement:

NEOM, the sustainable regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia, and SAUDIA, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, have created a strategic partnership to begin offering weekly service to international destinations from NEOM Bay Airport (NUM), representing the inauguration of commercial services at the airport.

SAUDIA will operate direct flights to select regional and international destinations.

SAUDIA will begin with weekly flights to Dubai International Airport by the end of June 2022, with plans to expand to London soon thereafter. Aircraft traveling to the selected destinations will have a joint NEOM-SAUDIA livery, showcasing the NEOM brand to the world.

Increasing direct connectivity to NEOM is an important step in promoting the further development of the ambitious giga-project, which is being completed by an impressive team of local, regional and international experts. NEOM currently has over 1,500 full-time employees representing over 65 nationalities, and numerous business partners from all over the world.

NEOM sits at the crossroads of three continents, with 40% of the world accessible within a four-hour flight. NEOM’s mobility strategy will see the further evolution of air travel to NEOM in the coming years, supporting its vision to shape the future of air mobility through seamless and customer-centric connectivity, rooted in cutting-edge technology.

Saudia aircraft photo gallery:

Saudia operates the world’s longest net positive flight

Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines issued this report:

SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, operated the world’s longest net positive flight thanks to a partnership with Enviro-tech business CarbonClick and aviation consultancy SimpliFlying.

On May 12, 2022, SAUDIA offset a total of 346 tons of carbon emissions, including radiative forcing impacts by a factor of two, for commercial passenger flight SV227, from Jeddah to Madrid, making the flight net-positive.

Operating with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the flight time was 5 hours and 55 minutes. Flight SV227 departed from King Abdulaziz International airport at 1030 hrs and arrived at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas airport at 1535 local time.

This flight is SAUDIA’s entry into The Sustainable Flight Challenge, an initiative by SkyTeam, one of the world’s three major airline alliances. All SkyTeam airlines are being challenged to go above and beyond by finding the most sustainable way to operate one single flight in their existing networks.

The challenge seeks inspiration from the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne. As part of that, CarbonClick’s partner SimpliFlying is working with SAUDIA to enable them to operate a net-positive flight.

The flight will also see the world’s first in-flight sustainability lab, where passengers contribute ideas on how air travel can become ‘greener’, led by SimpliFlying.

SAUDIA’s participation in SkyTeam’s Sustainable Flight Challenge is part of a broader commitment by the airline to continually improve its environmental performance. This is an integral part of its business strategy and commitment to becoming an industry leader in sustainability. The flight comes on the heels of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, where sustainability was a key theme and SAUDIA was the strategic partner and official carrier.

CarbonClick has been selected by SimpliFlying and SAUDIA as the offsetting partner for this challenge. CarbonClick will offset flight SV227 by applying the contribution from SAUDIA to the generation of clean wind electricity for communities in India. From the offsets bought, wind turbines can be powered for 26 days, generating clean energy for the local population.

This Gold Standard project is building wind power in India, displacing an equivalent amount of carbon-intense electricity which would otherwise rely on dirty fossil fuels like coal. The contribution by SAUDIA to this project will supply clean energy to the grid, providing sustainable electricity to families living in Bhuj, in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Saudia aircraft photo gallery:

Saudia to use a suite of Boeing services for its 787 and 777 fleets

(Photo credit: SAUDIA)

Saudia selected Boeing for a suite of services to improve their 787 Dreamliner and 777 fleets’ operational efficiency through digital analytics, and to modify their 777 cabin interiors.

Saudia will utilize Boeing’s Optimized Maintenance Program (OMP), which uses advanced data analytics to provide detailed insights for improved maintenance operations, and Boeing’s Airplane Health Management (AHM) digital solution, which applies predictive maintenance analytics and diagnostic tools to help improve the quality and speed of maintenance decisions, resulting in improved on-time performance. These services will be combined with Boeing’s OEM engineering and consulting expertise.

Boeing’s interior modification team will partner with Saudia to deliver all aspects of their 777 modification, including design, certification, and the supply of parts required for completion.

Historic Photo: Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines Fairchild F-27J N751L (msn 77) MSE (Jacques Guillem). Image: 955080.

Saudia unveils a 1972 retrojet on HZ-AK28 to celebrate 75 Years

Saudia has introduced a second special logo jet to help it celebrate 75 years of flying.

Boeing 777-368 ER HZ-AK28 (msn 42266) has been repainted in this special 1972 retro livery with a “75 Years” logo.

Photo: Saudia.

Boeing delivers the first 787-10 Dreamliner to Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia)

Boeing delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) its first 787-10 Dreamliner, which will play a key role in the airline’s fleet and network expansion. The largest member of the Dreamliner family sets the benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics and will complement Saudia’s fleet of 787-9.

In addition to the 787-10, Saudia operates 13 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes, and 33 777-300ER (Extended Range) jets.

With the delivery to Saudia, the 787-10 continues to expand its global presence. More than 30 of this Dreamliner model have been delivered to seven operators since the airplane entered commercial service last year. As a stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 adds about 40 more seats in a 2-class configuration and cargo capacity, offering 25 percent better fuel per seat and fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces. With a range 6,345 nautical miles (11,750 kms), the 787-10 can fly more than 95 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes.

Since entering service in 2011, the 787 family has enabled the opening of more than 235 new point-to-point routes and saved more than 40 billion pounds of fuel. Designed with the passenger in mind, the 787 family delivers an unparalleled experience with the largest windows of any commercial jet, large overhead bins with room for everyone’s bag, comfortable cabin air that is cleaner and more humid, and includes soothing LED lighting.

To optimize the performance of its 787 fleet, Saudia uses Boeing Global Services digital solutions powered by Boeing AnalytX such as Airplane Health Management (AHM), Maintenance Performance Toolbox and Crew Rostering and Pairing to optimize performance, manage global crew schedules and maintain their fleet. Boeing AnalytX is a suite of software and consulting services that transform raw data into efficiency, resource and cost savings in every phase of flight.

Photo: Boeing.

Saudi Arabian Airlines to boost Airbus A320neo Family fleet up to 100

Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has decided to expand its existing Airbus A320neo Family order from 35 to as many as 100 NEO aircraft including 35 options. The additional firm order takes Saudia’s order of A320neo Family aircraft to 65 of which 15 are A321XLRs.

The agreement was announced at the Paris Air Show by His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

Saudia is the biggest Airbus operator in the Kingdom and currently operates a portfolio of 100 Airbus aircraft comprising A320ceo Family and A330ceo. This latest purchase is in line with the Group’s Transformation Program, which includes the establishment and growth of a dual-brand strategy of operating airlines catering to the different customer segments in the Kingdom, the region and beyond.

Image: Airbus.

Saudia increases flights to Los Angeles, Singapore and Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has announced additional seat capacity and frequencies on a number of its international routes.

The airline currently flies 3 frequencies per week to Singapore from Jeddah, which will increase to 4 weekly, with the addition of one more weekly flight effective October 29 this year.

The Singapore route is operated with the airline’s new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring lie-flat seats in Business Class and spacious Guest Class (Economy seating).

During the upcoming peak holiday period, two more nonstop flights to Los Angeles will start from December 10 until January 13, 2019 taking it up to five-weekly-flights for a limited time.

Additional seats will also become available on the Manchester route, from the period December 18 to January 13, 2019. The route will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER during this period, with 115 additional seats per flight. Saudia currently flies to Manchester 5 frequencies per week from Jeddah with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Guests flying to Manchester can experience the latest inflight dining service in Guest Class (Economy) – Bistro by Saudia.

With increased demand to Abu Dhabi, Saudia will also begin offering an additional weekly frequency from Jeddah, taking it up to 8 flights per week.

Most flights feature Saudia’s latest state-of-the-art Panasonic inflight entertainment system, and features onboard WiFi and more than 4000 hours of Hollywood premiere and latest television shows, box sets, music, multi-language, international and children’s programming, as well as digital and audio books, and much more.

Since April this year, a free-of-charge WhatsApp texting plan was introduced for all guests to have the convenience of staying connected onboard, regardless of class of travel.*

As of September 15, Saudia has expanded the plan to now include free access to iMessage, Facebook Messenger, in addition to the already available WhatsApp.

Saudia is the first airline in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions to introduce a complimentary social media messaging plan onboard flights.

Guests traveling with Saudia onboard all flights enabled with WiFi connectivity, will be able to access the social messaging plan through a simple three-step process. To select the service, guests can connect their device to the “SAUDIA_ONAIR” network, and then select the plan and provide an email address in order to activate.

Saudia flies to more than 90 destinations worldwide, with a modern, mixed fleet of 155 narrow and widebody Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline’s growing route network and double-digit growth has resulted in highest-ever passenger numbers – flying more than 22 million guests from the beginning of the year until end of July this year.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Saudia): Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-ARF (msn 41549) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 939178.

Saudia aircraft slide show: