SAUDIA invests in projects to promote sustainable flying

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is investing in sustainability programmes, with the aim of minimising emissions and promoting the future of sustainable flying.

To this end, SAUDIA is committed to a variety of sustainability projects and new environmentally friendly initiatives, such as:

Green Points Programme

Green Points is a programme that rewards passengers for helping to protect the environment. The programme was implemented on a flight from Jeddah to Madrid on 12 May during The Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC), presented by the SkyTeam Alliance. SAUDIA guests can reduce food wastage and landfill contributions by pre-selecting their meals during online check-in – which will also reduce the weight of stock on board and save fuel.

The Green Points Programme offers guests the option to travel with less luggage, which is incentivised by a generous allocation of Green Points. This approach makes a significant contribution towards fuel efficiency.

Voluntary Carbon Market Initiative

SAUDIA is the first airline partner in the MENA region to partner in the Voluntary Carbon Market Initiative, which was launched in 2022. As part of Saudi Arabia’s vision to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 and reduce its impact on climate change, The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has established the voluntary carbon market. The initiative reflects the interests of companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint through new innovations such as expanding renewable energy or advancing green hydrogen. Partners in this market are five leading Saudi Arabian companies, including SAUDIA. SAUDIA’s participation plays a key role in reducing carbon emissions and is a milestone in the history of the national carrier.

Sustainability Flight Challenge

Another sustainability initiative to minimise the ecological footprint and the production of emissions is the active integration of customer feedback. On flight SV590 from Jeddah to Dubai on 8 October 2022, guests on board were asked their ideas for a more environmentally friendly approach to air travel. 150 exciting ideas were collated between the passengers and the SAUDIA team during this flight.

eVTOL

In collaboration with Munich-based start-up Lilium, SAUDIA is investing in zero-emission air travel to promote oil independence as part of its Vision 2030. SAUDIA has plans to purchase 100 of the Lilium-Jet electric-powered air taxis to serve point-to-point connections and seamless hub connections for business class customers within Saudi Arabia. The vertical take-off and landing electric jets have a range of 175km and can accommodate up to six passengers. With this partnership, SAUDIA is investing in an innovative eVTOL network of air taxis that aims to promote sustainable tourism in Saudi Arabia.

Formula E

As the official airline partner of the first electric-powered motorsport racing series Formula E, and as title partner of the inaugural SAUDIA Ad Diriyah E-Prix, SAUDIA has launched a new campaign this year to connect Formula E fans worldwide and promote the sustainable sport. For this purpose, SAUDIA and its SkyTeam partners will fly to all host cities on the race calendar next year. Rome, Berlin, New York, London and Seoul will be on the flight schedule.

SAUDIA is pleased to have seen its commitment to sustainability recognised recently in several awards.