A Multi-Year Agreement Advancing Aerospace Localization in the Kingdom

Saudia Group, a leading aviation conglomerate in the MENA region, has finalized a crucial agreement with GE Aerospace to provide GEnx-1B engines for its fleet of Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft ordered in 2023. The deal not only includes engines but also a comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) program along with spare engines.

This collaboration signifies a pivotal shift in local aerospace expertise through initiatives led by Saudia Technic, aimed at enhancing technical training and knowledge transfer in the Kingdom.

Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Saudia Group’s Director General, remarked, “This strategic partnership with GE Aerospace not only transforms the Group’s long-haul capability and expands our air connectivity, but also accelerates the localization of high-technology aviation expertise in the Kingdom. Through this agreement, we will be able to develop in-country technical capability for engines we previously maintained abroad, ensuring that investment, skills, and value remain within the Kingdom, in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030.”

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., CEO of GE Aerospace, added, “We are honored to support Saudia Group’s growth. The GEnx engines will ensure reliability and efficiency in powering the airline’s expanded fleet, while our partnership will benefit both the Kingdom and the U.S. by developing a skilled aerospace workforce.”

The GEnx family is engineered with advanced technologies, claiming over 70 million flight hours since its introduction in 2011, and is known for powering two-thirds of all operational 787 aircraft.

As part of Saudia’s long-term expansion strategy, this agreement will also develop local talent and improve technical capabilities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s aviation infrastructure and contributing to the Vision 2030 by cultivating a world-class aviation sector that enhances global connectivity.