Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has reported remarkable accomplishments in 2023, solidifying its position as a key player in the global aviation industry. The airline transported over 30 million guests, marking an impressive 21 percent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the carrier operated more than 176,300 flights, a 4 percent increase, showcasing Saudia’s commitment to delivering efficient and reliable services.
Surge in transit flights
One of the standout achievements for Saudia in 2023 was the remarkable growth in transit flights. Transit flights witnessed a staggering 77 percent increase compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. This highlights the airline’s resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving travel patterns.
Saudia attributes its success in 2023 to strategic enhancements in its operational model. Hence, it focused on increasing seat capacity and flight frequency and committed to operational efficiency. This resulted in an impressive on-time performance of 86.44 percent, placing Saudia among the top 10 airlines globally.
International connectivity
Internationally, Saudia played a pivotal role in connecting the world to Saudi Arabia. The airline transported over 16.7 million passengers through its international flight network, marking a substantial 36 percent increase. Operating more than 79,400 international flights, the airline registered a 19 percent increase in this category. Additionally, Saudia logged a significant 26 percent increase in flight hours, totaling 382,000 flight hours in 2023.
Domestic growth and new routes
Domestically, Saudia continued to serve the kingdom with over 13.5 million passengers, showcasing a 7 percent growth compared to the previous year. A notable 55 percent of the total flights operated were dedicated to domestic destinations, totaling 96,900 flights and accumulating 163,000 flight hours. Moreover, Saudia inaugurated operations to the Red Sea International Airport and launched flights to key international stations, including Beijing, China, Birmingham, UK, and Johannesburg, South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its global reach.
Vision for the future
Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia Group, expressed pride in Saudia’s growing performance metrics, attributing them to the optimal execution of the year-round operational plan. “Looking ahead, we anticipate a substantial expansion of our fleet, propelling our performance and marking a new chapter for Saudia since its inception, eighty years ago,” he added.
He anticipates a substantial expansion of the airline’s fleet, marking a new chapter for Saudia as it celebrates eighty years since its inception. The airline currently operates flights to over one hundred destinations across four continents with a diverse fleet of 142 aircraft.
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