SPECIAL COLOURS - Saudia unveils the Boeing 787-9 with a new commemorative livery."Welcome to Arabia"

Saudia introduced the aircraft featuring a “Saudi, Welcome to Arabia” design, in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority.(HZ-ARF)

Photo: Saudia

FLEET - IndiGo Airlines eyes six B787-9s on wet-lease in 2025

Saudia as of yesterday (02JAN25) gradually filed initial changes to its Northern summer 2025 season operation. On European routes, the airline filed following changes, based on schedule comparison 29DEC24 vs 02JAN25, with flights available for reservations.

Jeddah – Amsterdam eff 30MAR25 787-10 replaces -9, 4 weekly

Jeddah – Athens 03JUN25 – 06SEP25 188-seater 321neo operates along with A320, 3 weekly

Jeddah – London Heathrow eff 30MAR25 Reduce from previously filed 15 weekly to 14 weekly

Jeddah – Manchester eff 02APR25 Increase from 6 to 7 weekly, 787-9/-10

Jeddah – Rome Fiumicino eff 30MAR25 Increase from 4 to 6 weekly, A320 (Additional flights departs JED during overnight hours)

SV203 JED0305 – 0715FCO 320 15

SV201 JED1030 – 1440FCO 320 x135

SV204 FCO0925 – 1510JED 320 15

SV202 FCO1610 – 2155JED 320 x15

Neom Bay – London Heathrow eff 30MAR25 1 weekly 787-9 service removed

Photo: Ton Jochems - AMS

 

FLEET - Saudia / B787-10 / HZ-AR29

Ton Jochems - AMS
 

SPECIAL SCHEME - Saudia / B787-10 / HZ-AR33 - " Red Sea "

Ton Jochems - AMS
 

NEW LIVERY - Saudia launches new corporate identity

Saudia launched its new corporate identity, featuring a new livery. The livery has a strong resemblance to its green retro livery used in the past. The rumours about a new livery were already swirling on the internet as more and more aircraft in the retro livery popped-up, which is now reveiled as the new one.

Next to a new livery, the airline also introduced new uniforms and a new app, which is powered by AI to "enhance the customer experience".

All new aircraft deliveries will feature the new image, while the current fleet will be repainted over the coming years.

Illustrations by Saudia.

FLEET - Wamos Air, A330 EC-NOF in Saudia basic c/s. The reason is because this aircraft will be leased again to Saudia in the next weeks.

 José Ramon Valero

SPECIAL LIVERY - Saudia expanding retro-livery fleet

Saudia is pleasing the spotter community by offering us a bit more variety by adding additional aircraft wearing the airline's retro-livery. Photos have surfaced on Twitter and Instagram showing that at least one Dreamliner, and one A321neo will receive the green retro-look.

The Dreamliner involved is B787-10 HZ-AR32 (40055), which is currently being prepared for delivery at Charleston (SC). The A321neo will be HZ-ASAC (11475), which is being finalized at the Airbus-plant at Hamburg-Finkenwerder.

Both aircraft will join B777-300ER HZ-AK28 (42266) which received the retro-livery in September 2021 to celebrate the airline's 75th birthday.

Interesting to note is that, compared to the B777, the A321neo and B787-10 feature dark green engines sporting the Saudia-logo. The engines of the B777 are grey.

Saudia today operates a fleet of 160 aircraft, consisting of 40 A320s, fifteen A321s, one A321neo, two A330-200s (leased from Maleth-Aero and Wamos), 37 A330-300s (two leased from SmartLynx Malta, and four from Wamos Air), three B747-400s (leased from Air Atlanta Europe), three B747-400Fs (leased from Air Atlanta Europe), four B777Fs, 37 B777-300ERs, thirteen B787-9s, and five B787-10s.
Scramble
Photo by awesomeaaronsphotography on Twitter.

Saudia to debut A321neo operations in mid-2Q23

Saudia (SV, Jeddah) is planning to launch commercial operations of its A321-200NX aircraft on May 21, 2023, AeroRoutes has reported.

The Saudi carrier plans to deploy the newest aircraft type on the following routes from Jeddah, to:

Frankfurt International (4x weekly starting on August 1),

Geneva (4x weekly starting on September 2),

Milan Malpensa (4x weekly starting on June 1), and

Riyadh (varying schedule starting on May 21).

The airline will also base the aircraft type out of Riyadh and operate from the Saudi capital to:

Frankfurt (3x weekly starting on June 2),

Geneva (3x weekly starting on September 1),

Milan Malpensa (3x weekly starting on June 23),

Munich (2x weekly starting on October 2),

Vienna (weekly during August), and

Zurich (weekly during October).

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that Saudia has twenty A321-200NX on firm order from Airbus. The first aircraft, HZ-ASAA (msn 11200), is currently in final pre-delivery testing at Hamburg Finkenwerder airport. The carrier also has fifteen A321-200NY(XLR)s on firm order and expects their deliveries to begin in 2024. Saudia's current-generation narrowbody fleet comprises forty-three A320-200s and fifteen A321-200s.
CH Aviation 

ROUTES - SAUDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION WITH 25 NEW DESTINATIONS IN 2023 Connecting the World to Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and flyadeal sets course to add 25 new destinations in 2023 on SAUDIA Group Network:

NEW DESTINATIONS IN 2023

Beijing, China

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Djibouti

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Johannesburg, South Africa

Kano, Nigeria

Baghdad, Iraq

London Gatwick, United Kingdom

Nice, France

Lisbon, Portugal

Malaga, Spain

Mykonos, Greece

Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

Tbilisi, Georgia

Baku, Azerbaijan

Trabzon, Turkey

Izmir, Turkey

Antalya, Turkey

Bodrum, Turkey

Sarajevo, Bosnia

Heraklion, Greece

Rhodes, Greece

Larnaca, Cyprus

Tivat, Montenegro

 

SAUDIA to Grow Long-Haul Fleet with up to 49 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

- Saudi Arabian flag-carrier to order 39 fuel-efficient 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes
- Announcement including options for 10 additional jets is part of Saudi Arabia's broader investment to become a global aviation hub

Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) today announced the national flag-carrier will grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 787 Dreamliners.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) today announced the national flag-carrier will grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 787 Dreamliners. SAUDIA is set to purchase 39 787s, with a further 10 options, utilizing the outstanding efficiency, range and flexibility of the Dreamliner to sustainably grow its global operation. The agreement will include both 787-9 and 787-10 models.
This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia's wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, Saudi Arabian carriers announced today their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing's history. This will support the country's goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.
"SAUDIA continues its expansion efforts in all aspects of the airline; whether it's introducing new destinations or increasing the aircraft fleet," His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group. "The agreement with Boeing delivers on this commitment and the newly added aircraft will further enable SAUDIA to fulfill its strategic objective of bringing the world to the Kingdom".
SAUDIA currently operates more than 50 Boeing airplanes on its long-haul network, including the 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner. The additional 787s complement SAUDIA's existing fleet, enabling it to effectively harness the value of the 777 and 787 families.
"Adding to its 787 Dreamliner fleet will enable SAUDIA to expand its long-haul service with outstanding range, capacity and efficiency," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "After more than 75 years of partnership, we are honored by SAUDIA's confidence in Boeing products and will continue to support Saudi Arabia's goal to expand sustainable air travel."
Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has launched more than 350 new nonstop routes around the world, including about 50 new routes since 2020. The Dreamliner reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces.
This order will be posted to Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website when finalized.
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

 

Saudia retro jet

To celebrate its 75th birthday, Saudia is not only commemorating it by adding a special tail and decals on a B787-9 but also unveiled a B777-300ER in a stunning retro livery. The aircraft, HZ-AK28 (42266) was unveiled to the public on 13 September and can be spotted on Saudia-flights soon.

 

Saudia 75!

Saudia is celebrating its 75th birthday and has decided to give B787-9 HZ-ARE (41548) a special tail and a large 75-decal to commemorate this milestone. The aircraft was unveiled on 11 September. The tail features the faces of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of Saudia Arabia (top), his successor King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (middle) and the current Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (bottom).

The airline launched in 1946 with just a single DC-3 and nowadays has a fleet of 158 aircraft consisting of 46 A320s, fifteen A321s, 32 A330-300s, three B747-400s (leased and operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic), three B747-400Fs (leased and operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic), two B747-8Fs, 35 B777-300ERs, four B777Fs, thirteen B787-9s and five B787-10s.

Photo by Saudia.