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Saudia said in a statement that it has applied a new Saudi Welcome to Arabia livery to one of its Boeing B787-9 aircraft as part of a strategic partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority. The design functions as an airborne promotional platform carrying welcoming messages to maximize visibility for the Kingdom’s tourism offerings while operating on international routes spanning four continents. The national flag carrier established in 1945 described the livery as reflecting authentic Saudi hospitality and supporting an integrated year-round campaign. This effort ties directly into Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to elevate the country’s position as a global destination.
The statement highlighted how the collaboration aligns aviation infrastructure improvements with growing visitor demand. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar director general of Saudia Group said the partnership exemplifies coordination around national priorities. “Our partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority is a strong example of how alignment around shared national objectives can drive real impact” Al-Omar said. He pointed to rising visitor numbers as proof of joint success in building connectivity and delivering high-standard travel experiences that showcase the Kingdom’s identity.
A GCC Business Watch report placed the number of tourists and visitors to Saudi Arabia at 122 million in 2025 with associated spending reaching SR300 billion. Those results represent a 5 percent increase over the previous year and move the Kingdom closer to its Vision 2030 target of 150 million annual visitors by 2030. Saudia operates a fleet of 149 aircraft that serves more than 100 destinations the company statement noted while maintaining one of the youngest fleets in global aviation.
Mr. Fahd Hamidaddin chief executive officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority described the livery as an innovative platform that transforms the journey into part of the overall visitor experience. “We continue through this collaboration to expand innovative promotional platforms where the journey itself has become an inspiring experience that reflects the Spirit of Saudi Arabia and supports the delivery of a fully integrated tourism experience for visitors” Hamidaddin said. He invited travelers to photograph the aircraft and share images on social media to help spread Saudi welcoming messages worldwide.
Saudia has secured multiple industry recognitions including first place globally for on-time performance according to Cirium and World Class Airline status for the fifth consecutive year at the APEX World Class 2026 Awards. The carrier also ranked 17th among global airlines and earned Skytrax recognition for best airline staff service in 2025. These performance metrics reinforce its capacity to support expanded tourism flows through reliable service and enhanced connectivity the statement indicated.
The partnership extends to joint participation in events such as TOURISE 2025 to generate further promotional opportunities and additional flight capacity. Saudia contributes its network in-flight entertainment systems and ground services to create seamless experiences for arriving visitors. The initial Boeing B787-9 deployment may be followed by similar liveries on other aircraft types including Airbus A350s and A321neos according to the announcement.
