A New Trendy Airline for Sports, Tourism, Sustainability

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is aready a magnet for global tourism, and now a center for sports, sustainability, and a trendy airlines, SAUDIA.

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is not so new, but global tourism in in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is.

The national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company is one of the Middle East’s largest airlines. In recent years the airline has invested significantly in its fleet of 142 narrow and widebody aircraft and operates one of the youngest fleets in the skies, with an average aircraft age of 5 years.

SAUDIA offers a fleet size of 142 with the main operational base located at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are the secondary hubs for the airline.

SAUDIA operates one of the youngest fleets in the skies with an average age of 5 years featuring new aircraft that emit less carbon. The airline recently purchased 149 CFM Leap-A1 engines and spare parts that include technologies that have significantly improved fuel efficiency, lowered CO2 and NOx emissions, and reduced noise.

The airline’s plan is to have 250 planes in the SAUDIA fleet by 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier was named the Middle East’s Fastest Growing Airline Brand in 2022 by Brand Finance and the World’s Most Improved Airline in 2021 by SKYTRAX. SAUDIA also received the prestigious accolade in 2017.

Customers can fly directly with SAUDIA to over 100 destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. SAUDIA was named World Class Airline at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ in 2021 and 2022, and been renewed as Five Star Airline by APEX.

Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism industry is growing fast, ranking first among Arab countries.

SAUDIA and its partnership with Formula E

As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.

Formula E cars are all-electric, paving the way and promoting the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centers in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.

The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities is united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and the planet.

As the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the airline is an official partner of the all-electric series: a partnership founded in 2018 on a shared approach to progress, sustainability, and innovation.

How is SAUDIA contributing to developing sports tourism?

Sports Tourism is one of the biggest growing sectors in the industry – it brings international fans from across the world together for events that are rooted in multiculturism, unity, and celebration.

With this in mind, SAUDIA has created key partnerships and sponsorships with internationally popular and acclaimed sporting events to bring the world together in Saudi Arabia.

This process and approach aim to amplify Saudia Arabia as a leading destination for sports tourism and a hub for a host of incredible games and matches.

Our ambassadors reflect these values as well. Lately, we have officially announced that Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne will be our ambassador for Season 9 of the Championship – this partnership builds on shared values of progress, sustainability, and innovation as well as bringing the world together for exhilarating motorsports.

Is SAUDIA ready to welcome the influx of tourists to the kingdom?

Absolutely! Saudi Arabia is a relatively undiscovered destination in the international tourism industry, and that’s what is so exciting about the future. SAUDIA has some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, incredible heritage and culture, and first-class service. We’ve seen from post-pandemic travel trends that international travelers are looking for adventure – and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has it all. 

We’re incredibly excited to be at the forefront of this development – to be able to transport travelers from across the world to the Kingdom and back; is an instrumental part of our transformation and development. 

Sustainability is a big drive across the GCC, how does SAUDIA work towards it?

Sustainability is extremely important to SAUDIA, and we’re committed to aligning ourselves with the Kingdom’s efforts and goals. We’ve taken part in many initiatives that show this commitment.