Saudia Group nears decision on large aircraft order, executive says

Saudia Group is moving toward a large aircraft order and is waiting on final approval from its board before opening the request for proposal process, according to an executive who spoke to Bloomberg.

Sanjiv Kapoor, executive vice president of strategy at Saudia Group and acting chief executive of flyadeal, said the group has finished assessing how many aircraft it needs for growth and for the longer-term replacement of older jets. He did not give a number, and said an order could be placed in one go or in stages. The first aircraft is expected in 2031, and the purchase is intended to cover both Saudia and flyadeal.

Earlier reporting suggested Saudia could order at least 150 jets from Boeing and Airbus, including 777-9s and A321neo family aircraft. Saudia is still waiting on dozens of aircraft as part of its Vision 2030 plans.

In December 2025 the carrier's chief commercial officer, Arved von zur Muehlen, said Saudia expected to receive one new aircraft a month in 2026 and one a week in 2027.

Fleet data shows Saudia awaiting 60 A321neos, 12 A321XLRs, 18 787-9s and 10 787-10s. On July 6, 2026, the airline said it had agreed with Boeing for four additional 777-200 freighters, adding to the four already in service.

flyadeal, the group's low-cost unit, has 61 aircraft on order: 39 A321neos, 13 A320neos and 10 A330neos.