Saudia Airlines. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Jan 30, 2025 (BSS) – Saudia Airlines plans to expand its fleet by 118 new aircrafts will enhance connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, offering more flight options and supporting growing travel demand.

“With a significant number of Bangladeshi passengers traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, Umrah, and other purposes, Saudia's expansion further strengthens connectivity between the two nations,” said a press statement issued by the airlines here today.   

It said, the airline's performance supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals by promoting tourism, religious travel, and economic collaboration with Bangladesh, ultimately benefiting both countries' shared interests.

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, transported 20 million international guests on scheduled and additional flights in 2024, representing a 16 percent increase compared to 2023 while transit guest numbers also surpassed 9.3 million, an impressive annual growth of 18 percent. 

“This impressive growth not only reflects Saudia’s commitment to connecting the world to the Kingdom but also highlights its crucial role in enhancing bilateral relations with countries like Bangladesh,” said the airlines. 
  
As part of its ongoing digital transformation, the statement said, Saudia reported a significant increase in guest engagement with modern technologies, with Bangladeshi travelers being among the most active users.

In total, Saudia carried 35 million guests throughout 2024, reflecting a 15 percent year-on-year increase. 

The airline operated 193,000 scheduled and additional flights, a 10 percent growth compared to the previous year. 

Additionally, the release said, Saudia achieved an 8.5 percent increase in flight hours, totaling over 581,000 hours, while maintaining an on-time performance rate of 89.1 percent, a 2.7 percent improvement. 

Guest satisfaction also saw a notable rise, with the Net Promoter Score (NPS) reaching 32.7, a 4.5 percent increase, indicating enhanced satisfaction and an improved likelihood of recommending Saudia to others, the statement added.