Saudi Arabia is finalizing plans for a "substantial" aircraft order, Al Arabiya English reports, a commitment that would add to the already large backlog the kingdom has built across its carriers and support its stated ambition to become a global aviation hub.

The report gives no aircraft counts, model selections, manufacturer split or delivery timeline, so the order's scale remains unquantified. What is clear is the direction: Saudi Arabia continues to convert its aviation strategy into firm fleet commitments.

How large is the kingdom's existing orderbook?

Saudi Arabia's two flag carriers anchor one of the region's most aggressive expansion programs:

• Saudia, the Jeddah-based national airline, is growing its widebody and narrowbody fleet to serve hajj traffic and long-haul routes from the Red Sea coast.
• Riyadh Air, the startup launched by the Public Investment Fund in 2023, has already committed to Boeing 787s and expects a fleet of about 200 aircraft by 2030.
• Low-cost operator flyadeel continues to expand its single-aisle fleet alongside its parent Saudia Group.

Any new order would land on top of these commitments and compete for delivery slots that remain scarce through the end of the decade at both Airbus and Boeing.

What does 'substantial' mean in practice?

For context, an order described as substantial in the current market typically runs to dozens of airframes and tens of billions of dollars in list-price value. Riyadh Air's widebody commitment alone covered 39 firm 787-9s with options for 33 more when it was announced in March 2023.

The kingdom's fleet ambitions tie directly to its tourism and connectivity targets: Saudi Arabia aims to serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030 and to triple its network reach, goals that require both aircraft and the pilots, maintenance capacity and airport infrastructure to operate them.

Aircraft availability is the binding constraint. Airbus has sold out its A320neo-family production well into the 2030s, and Boeing's 737 MAX backlog runs to a similar horizon. Saudi orders compete for slots against lessors and airlines worldwide, which means delivery dates — not order announcements — will determine when the capacity actually enters service.

Who benefits?

A new Saudi order would strengthen the orderbooks of either or both major OEMs and could carry engine, cabin and maintenance packages with it. Gulf carriers have historically used large orders to secure training, MRO and component-support agreements alongside the airframes, pulling industrial investment into the region.

For Airbus and Boeing, a further Saudi commitment would add firm demand to backlogs both manufacturers are straining to deliver against; for rival Gulf hubs, it would sharpen competition for connecting traffic between Europe, Asia and Africa.

Al Arabiya's report does not specify whether the order would go to Saudia, Riyadh Air, a new entity, or a mix of carriers — nor whether the announcement awaits a high-visibility venue such as an air show or state visit.

Expect confirmation of the order's size, manufacturer split and delivery schedule to follow in the coming months as the kingdom firms up terms.