Saudia Plans Rapid Expansion As Saudi Arabia Opens Up To Tourism, Targets 45 million Passengers By 2020

Saudia Director General Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser discusses the airline’s transformation and the group’s rapid growth trajectory. Saudia grew international passenger traffic by 14% in 2017 as it took delivery of a record 33 aircraft. Domestic growth was a more modest 3% as the group has been focusing domestic expansion at new LCC subsidiary Flyadeal. Mr Al-Jasser said the airline plans to continue rapid expansion and has a target of carrying 45 million passengers in 2020 compared to about 35 million in 2017. A new terminal in Jeddah, which is being opened in phases over the next year, and a new more liberal visa policy will help the airline meet its ambitious growth projections.