Several recent photographs have shown aircraft from different manufacturers sporting atypical SAUDIA liveries, begging the question of whether Saudi Arabia-based airline will be introducing a new look.
A Boeing 787-10, registered as HZ-AR33, was spotted at Boeing’s North Charleston, South Carolina, United States (US) facilities, where all 787s are assembled. The aircraft has a distinctively different livery to the airline’s current jets, which have a blue tail and a two-tone fuselage.
The old livery’s top fuselage is beige or cream, with the bottom painted white.
Another SAUDIA Boeing 787-10, registered as HZ-AR32, was spotted with the new livery when it arrived at Everett Paine Field (PAE) from Portland International Airport (PDX), where Boeing‘s painting facilities are located.
There are some similarities to a retro livery that the airline introduced on a Boeing 777-300ER, registered as HZ-AK28, to celebrate its 75th anniversary in September 2021. However, there are also some key differences. Notably, the shade of green on the tail is much darker, with the engine pod also being painted green, a feature that is not visible on the retro-liveried 777-300ER.
Meanwhile, an Airbus A321neo, registered as HZ-ASAC, was also spotted with the same updated livery at Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport (XFW), one of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) locations for the A321neo. The single-aisle jet also has a much darker tail, as well as green engine pods.
Notably, Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day on September 23, 2023.
AeroTime approached SAUDIA for comment.