Saudia aims to accelerate growth as international passenger numbers rise +16% in 2024

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has reported serving more than 35 million passengers in 2024, a +15% year-on-year increase.

Notably, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accelerates its drive to attract more tourists, international passengers topped 20 million in the year, growing +16%. Meanwhile, transit passengers topped 9.3 million, achieving +18% annual growth.

Saudia has pledged to build on a successful 2024 by further growing its route network and aircraft fleet {Images courtesy of Saudia}

The airline operated 193,000 scheduled and additional flights across 2024, +10% more than the previous year.

Saudia said the numbers underline its “unwavering commitment” to connecting the world to the Kingdom while contributing to Saudi Vision 2030’s goals in tourism, entertainment, sports, and the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

The carrier also noted that guest satisfaction saw a significant rise, with its Net Promoter Score (the metric that measures how likely customers are to recommend a company’s products or services to others) reaching 32.7, a +4.5% increase over 2023.

The Saudia route network covers around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia. Saudia aircraft at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport are pictured.

Saudia Group Director General His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar said: “Operating in the competitive aviation industry demands a constantly evolving strategy. Saudia is committed to achieving sustainable operational excellence while adhering to the highest international standards.

“This remarkable growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Saudia’s employees and the strategic optimisation of our aircraft fleet to deliver exceptional service. We have also made significant strides in enhancing our services and enriching the overall guest experience.”

Saudia said it plans to further enhance its operational model, particularly during peak travel seasons, by expanding its fleet, increasing seat capacity and extending its global network. Its current fleet has 147 aircraft, and the airline noted it aims to add 118 more as part of its growth strategy. ✈

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie is currently on location in Saudi Arabia visiting some of the country’s leading airports. Look out for his series of reports, coming soon.

The Moodie Davitt Report is the leading international information source on Saudi Arabia’s travel retail and airport non-aeronautical revenue sectors. All stories are archived permanently in our Saudi newsroom (accessed via the regional section on our home page drop-down menu).
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