Saudia, historically known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, is Saudi Arabia’s national passenger airline. Its origins date to 1945, when a Douglas DC-3 presented to King Abdulaziz helped establish the basis of the country’s airline operation. Saudia joined SkyTeam in 2012.[1][2]
DC-3 beginnings
The early operation followed the presentation of a DC-3 by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt to King Abdulaziz. Two additional DC-3s were purchased in 1945. International services began during the following years, including flights to Palestine in 1946, Damascus and Cairo in 1947, and Beirut in 1948. The small initial fleet thus developed into a wider regional transport operation.[1][3]
Jet age and corporate development
Saudia introduced the Boeing 720 in 1962. A royal decree established the Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation as an independent entity in 1963. The airline joined the Arab Air Carriers Organization in 1965 and the International Air Transport Association in 1967. These changes accompanied fleet development and the expansion of overseas services.[3]
Long-haul growth
The airline’s historical chronology records the introduction of Boeing 747 aircraft in 1977 and the start of services to the United States in 1981. In that same year it moved to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and established a dedicated catering unit serving Saudia and other airlines. Aircraft investment was therefore accompanied by development of airport and support infrastructure.[3]
SkyTeam membership
SkyTeam welcomed Saudia on 29 May 2012 at a ceremony in Jeddah. It became the alliance’s sixteenth member and its first airline based in the Middle East. Membership formed part of a wider transformation programme involving the airline’s branding, core operations and passenger services. For the alliance, Saudia added access to the Saudi market and further connections within the Middle East.[2]