The Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA), which began its operations on May 27, 1945, has attained great achievements and has become one of the most important Saudi institutions.
In 1956, the Presidency of Civil Aviation was established and in 1963 a Royal decree was issued announcing the establishment of the SAA.
In 1965, the SAA joined the Arab Union for Air Transport, and in 1967 it joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
During the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the SAA witnessed a remarkable development. To boost its fleet, the late King Fahd ordered the purchase of ten Boeing planes for the SAA.
The SAA's revenues rose from SR10.165 billion in 1998 to SR13.53 billion in 2004.
In 2003, the SAA transported 14,485,000 passengers, despite international developments which had had an adverse effect on air travel.
From January 2005 up to the end of August 2005, the SAA transported more than 11,355,444 passengers.
In line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the SAA has increased its domestic flights to different regions of the Kingdom.
During last July, the SAA transported 1,748,585 passengers and during last August, it transported about 1.9 million passengers.
The SAA has also played a crucial role in the service of pilgrims.
During the last Hajj season, the SAA transported about 1,040,000 arriving and departing pilgrims. The SAA is expected to transport during this year's Umrah season about 1,932,216 Umrah performers from the Kingdom and abroad.
The SAA has also established a special institute for technology, training and maintenance of planes. The SAA extends technical services to a number of Arab and international aviation companies through its major internal airports and some foreign stations.
In 2002 Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, laid the foundation stone for the Prince Sultan Academy for Aviation Sciences.
In realization of the importance of Saudization of jobs, the SAA has established a training institute for the maintenance of planes in Jeddah and for training of Saudi youth.
By the end of 2004 and up to mid 2005 the rate of Saudization of jobs at the SAA exceeded 94 percent.
