RIYADH: Collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia and the Saudi Tourism Authority in 2025 resulted in the Kingdom receiving approximately 27 million tourists and visitors from 24 countries on Saudia flights.

Khaled Tash, Group chief marketing officer of Saudia, praised the partnership with the STA, noting that it will contribute to reaching the target of 150 million tourists by 2030, following the achievement of the initial target in 2023. 

The announcement was made during the launch of a Saudia aircraft adorned with the “Spirit of Saudi” logo at Saudia Technic’s maintenance, repair and overhaul village in Jeddah. 

The launch forms part of the strategic partnership with the STA aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism destination. 

The aircraft will fly to 25 destinations worldwide during 2026, serving as a mobile promotional platform reflecting authentic Saudi hospitality and supporting Vision 2030 goals to attract visitors from around the world.   

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Tash said the aircraft selected for the partnership is the Boeing B787-9, designed for long-haul flights to some of the Kingdom’s farthest destinations, including Jeddah–Washington routes, as well as East Asia and China. 

For his part, Abdullah Al-Dakhil, the official spokesperson for the STA, affirmed that air connectivity is a key pillar of the tourism sector. He pointed out that the aim of this partnership, utilizing the international Boeing B787-9 aircraft, which attracts visitors from around the world, is to make the aircraft, with all its amenities, a creative promotional platform for travelers during their journey to Saudi Arabia. 

This will allow them to experience authentic Saudi hospitality even before arriving in the Kingdom, where diverse destinations, seasons and international events await year-round. 

Saudi Arabia is investing billions of dollars as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels, boosting its private sector, and enhancing connectivity, as well as solidifying its role in the global aviation industry.  

As part of the plan, the Kingdom aims to serve 330 million passengers across more than 250 destinations and transport 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo by 2030.