Saudia

Saudia is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and a SkyTeam member, headquartered in Jeddah and operating a mixed Boeing and Airbus fleet of widebodies and A320-family narrowbodies from hubs at Jeddah and Riyadh. Alongside its scheduled network across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, it carries substantial pilgrimage traffic to the holy cities, and it is expanding as part of Saudi Arabia's wider aviation growth strategy.

Flying for Saudia

Saudia recruits experienced direct-entry First Officers and Captains internationally, while its cadet programme is open to Saudi nationals only, in line with the kingdom's nationalisation framework under the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Cadet applicants must hold GACA credentials including the AIP aptitude test, English language proficiency and a Class 1 medical, and training runs through partner schools and the airline's in-house Prince Sultan Aviation Academy in Jeddah, which operates full-flight simulators for the fleet.

Selection is structured and multi-stage, combining computer-based aptitude and psychometric testing, English proficiency screening, interviews and simulator assessment. The GACA AIP aptitude test in particular demands a high pass mark, which makes disciplined practice of pilot aptitude and cognitive assessments an almost essential part of any serious candidate's preparation.