Saudi Arabia's National Carrier Connecting the World
Founded
1945
Headquarters
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Alliance
SkyTeam
Saudi Arabian Airlines, branded as Saudia, is the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest airlines in the Middle East. Founded in 1945, it operates an extensive network of domestic and international routes spanning Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and beyond.
The airline is wholly owned by the Saudi Arabian government and plays a central role in supporting the kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and boost tourism and travel. Saudia serves as a vital link for millions of pilgrims traveling to Mecca and Medina each year.
In recent years, Saudia has undergone significant modernization efforts, refreshing its fleet and cabin products while expanding its route network. The airline operates from its primary hubs in Jeddah and Riyadh, offering both full-service international travel and connections across the Arabian Peninsula.
Hubs & network
Saudia's primary hubs are King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with a secondary hub at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina.
Fleet
Saudia operates a modern fleet consisting primarily of Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Notable facts
- ›Saudia is one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, having been established in 1945 with a single Douglas DC-3 gifted by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to King Abdulaziz.
- ›The airline joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance in 2012.
- ›Saudia operates one of the world's largest Hajj and Umrah air operations, transporting millions of pilgrims annually.
- ›The airline rebranded from 'Saudi Arabian Airlines' to the marketing name 'Saudia' in 2012.
- ›Saudia has a low-cost subsidiary called flyadeal, launched in 2017, which operates domestic and regional routes.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
