Saudia has entered early-stage discussions with Boeing Co. and Airbus SE concerning what could become the carrier's largest single aircraft acquisition, according to reporting circulated Thursday. The airline is said to be assessing proposals from both manufacturers for a package that would include at least 150 narrowbody and widebody jets.
The potential transaction is framed as both a renewal and an expansion of Saudia's existing fleet. The airline operates roughly 200 aircraft today, and any new order would be used in part to replace older types while also adding capacity to the overall roster. Sources describing the talks emphasize that negotiations remain preliminary and could conclude without a binding deal.
Saudia is not new to large-scale fleet commitments. In 2024 the carrier placed an order for 105 Airbus narrowbody aircraft. The previous year the airline ordered more than 36 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and secured options on an additional 10 of those long-haul models. Those prior commitments form the immediate backdrop to the current discussions with both major manufacturers.
The state-controlled airline is being restructured to focus on religious pilgrimage travel, while a separate flag carrier, Riyadh Air, is being positioned as a premium leisure and tourism option that will begin operations in the future. The reported talks with Boeing and Airbus occur as Saudi authorities continue to invest heavily in transforming the kingdom into a global travel hub.
At this stage, Saudia has evaluated offers but has not finalized decisions on specific aircraft types or the exact number of units to acquire. The wide range of configurations implicit in a mix of narrowbody and widebody aircraft means that the profile of any eventual order - in terms of model mix, delivery timing, and financing - remains undefined in the reporting.
Because the negotiations are described as preliminary, market participants should treat the possibility of a large order as conditional rather than confirmed. If the talks advance, the transaction would represent a major procurement exercise for the airline and would be consequential for manufacturers' production planning and supply-chain scheduling.
Summary
Saudia is reportedly in early talks with Boeing and Airbus about buying at least 150 narrowbody and widebody jets. The order would partly replace and partly expand the carrier's roughly 200-aircraft fleet. Talks are preliminary and may not lead to a final agreement. Saudia has placed major fleet orders in 2023 and 2024 with both manufacturers.