SAUDIA says 83% pilots, 100% co-pilots are nationals

One of the airplanes in SAUDIA fleet

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has more than 1,800 highly-qualified pilots and co-pilots flying its fleet, which comprises various kinds of aircraft, according to an official statement.

SAUDIA has 935 pilots, of whom 83.5% are Saudis, and 895 assistant pilots, who are all nationals.

Saudia invests heavily in qualifying and training its staff, and accordingly, several pilots succeeded to hold high-ranking positions either in SAUDIA, the aviation industry or other business sectors in the Kingdom, stated Ibrahim Al-Omar, the national carrier’s director-general.