Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, Saudia, has soared to new heights in the aviation world, receiving the coveted title of ‘The World’s Most Improved Airline’ and securing the top spot for Best Economy Class Airline Catering at the prestigious 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The Skytrax organization, an international air transport rating body, hosted this prestigious event. The World Airline Awards are meticulously determined through a comprehensive global customer satisfaction survey spanning several months, encompassing evaluations of over 375 airlines.
Saudia’s journey to the top has been marked by steady and impressive progress. Over recent years, the airline has consistently climbed the ranks, earning the title of ‘The World’s Most Improved Airline’ for a remarkable third time. From 82nd place in 2017 to 23rd in 2023, and now 20th in 2024, Saudia’s rankings have dramatically improved.
The airline’s ‘SHINE’ transformation program has played a pivotal role in these achievements. This program, meticulously crafted to enhance the guest experience, optimize operational efficiency, and elevate service and product offerings, has become a catalyst for Saudia’s success. This strategic approach has led to the initiation of a new digital era marked by advanced technologies, further solidifying Saudia’s position as a leader in the industry. These advancements have been instrumental in propelling Saudia into the top 10 globally for On-Time Performance (OTP) for six consecutive months in 2023.
In a testament to its commitment to excellence, Saudia achieved the highest global ranking for departure On-Time Performance (OTP-D) in May 2024, and ranked among the top five globally for arrival On-Time Performance (OTP-A). Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group, expressed his pride, stating, “These awards reaffirm Saudia’s dedication to excellence and our commitment to achieving the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services. By adhering to the highest quality standards in the aviation industry, we are continuously prioritizing service innovation, by enhancing the guest experience, and optimizing operational efficiency.” He further emphasized, “This unwavering dedication to excellence has positioned Saudia as a leading global connector, bridging the world to the Kingdom to serve a wide range of sectors including business, tourism, entertainment, sports, Hajj, and Umrah.”
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We congratulate Saudia on this fabulous achievement and this remarkable success. To be recognised for the change and quality improvement is testament to the hard work by the management and staff at Saudia and this recognition should be a source of pride.”
Saudia’s vision for the future is ambitious and clear. The airline has outlined a definitive path for its future growth and strategic plans, aiming to secure top positions in Skytrax’s rankings in the forthcoming years. Demonstrating this unwavering commitment, Saudia recently signed two significant agreements with Boeing and Airbus to purchase 154 new aircraft. Moreover, the airline is currently revolutionizing its passenger cabins, encompassing upgrades to economy and business class seating, along with the introduction of high-speed in-flight internet and the enhancement of onboard entertainment systems with the industry’s highest resolution screens. This comprehensive approach to enhancing the passenger experience showcases Saudia’s dedication to providing a world-class travel experience.
