Jeddah: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has achieved notable milestones in 2023, showcasing a transformation in its operations. The airline successfully transported over 30 million guests, marking a 21% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, Saudia operated more than 176.3 thousand flights, demonstrating a 4% increase.
Key achievements include a 77% growth in transit flights in 2023 compared to 2019, reflecting Saudia's increasing role as a global connector. The airline's strategic enhancements to its operational model focused on increasing seat capacity, flight frequency, and operational efficiency, contributing to an overall on-time performance of 86.44% in 2023, ranking among the top 10 globally.
On the international front, Saudia played a pivotal role in connecting the world to the Kingdom, transporting over 16.7 million passengers through its international flight network—a substantial 36% increase. The airline operated more than 79.4 thousand international flights, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year. Saudia also registered a 26% increase in flight hours, totaling 382 thousand flight hours in 2023.
Domestically, Saudia continued to serve the Kingdom by transporting over 13.5 million passengers, showcasing a 7% growth compared to the previous year. Approximately 55% of the total flights operated, totaling 96.9 thousand flights, were dedicated to domestic destinations, accumulating 163 thousand flight hours.
In 2023, Saudia inaugurated operations to the Red Sea International Airport and launched several international stations, including Beijing, China; Birmingham, UK; and Johannesburg, South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its global reach across various continents.
Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia Group, commented on the airline's performance, stating, “Saudia’s growing performance metrics reflect the optimal execution of our year-round operational plan, particularly during peak seasons. These figures are a testament to our success in serving key sectors, including tourism, business, and pilgrimage."
Looking ahead, Saudia anticipates a substantial expansion of its fleet, contributing to a new chapter in the airline's history as it marks its eightieth anniversary. Strategic investments in King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah align with Saudia's commitment to establish a central hub bridging the East with the West for transit flights. The airline also aims to enhance the travel experience for guests through the adoption of the latest digital systems, artificial intelligence technologies, and an upgraded system infrastructure to elevate operational efficiency and punctuality.
