Saudia is evaluating proposals from both Boeing and Airbus for a new aircraft order, keeping the two major airframers in competition for a fleet requirement that the Saudi flag carrier has not yet defined publicly.

The airline confirmed it is considering options from each manufacturer, a position that preserves commercial leverage on price, delivery slots and after-sales support until a final decision is made. No order value, aircraft count,机型 mix or decision timeline has been disclosed.

Keeping both OEMs in contention is standard practice for carriers of Saudia's scale when negotiating fleet renewals or expansions. It forces Boeing and Airbus to sharpen terms on airframe pricing, maintenance packages, training and guaranteed delivery positions — variables that matter more than list prices in the final economics of a deal.

For Boeing, a Saudia order would extend its long-standing presence in the Gulf and provide further evidence of demand for its widebody and narrowbody lines as the manufacturer works through production and delivery recovery. For Airbus, it would consolidate a European position in a market where the manufacturer already holds substantial share across regional operators.

A dual-track evaluation also signals that Saudia is weighing fleet architecture questions — commonality with its existing operation, engine selection, range requirements and seat capacity — rather than simply choosing between comparable products. The outcome will shape the airline's network economics for the next decade, influencing unit costs on regional routes and payload-range capability on long-haul sectors.

The airline has not committed to either manufacturer, and any order would require final board approval and, depending on size, alignment with Saudi aviation policy and financing strategy. Lessors could also figure in the final structure, as Gulf carriers have mixed direct purchases with sale-and-leaseback arrangements to manage capital expenditure.

Timing remains open. Aircraft manufacturers' delivery backlogs stretch several years ahead for popular models, so a decision delayed into 2025 or beyond would push first deliveries further out — a factor that typically pressures carriers to conclude evaluations earlier rather than later if capacity is needed on a defined schedule.

Until Saudia announces a selection, both OEMs remain in the running, and the airline's stated consideration of parallel Boeing and Airbus options indicates the negotiation is still at the proposal-evaluation stage rather than near signature.

An announcement, when it comes, will clarify the size, composition and delivery schedule of the order — and with it the competitive balance between the two manufacturers in one of the Middle East's most closely watched aviation markets.