Airbus expands global footprint with Saudi Arabia HQ

Airbus has appointed Eid Al Qahtani as Airbus president for the new regional headquarters (HQ) in Riyadh, as the European planemaker looks to scout for more deals in the Middle East region.

Since the 1970s, the aircraft maker has significantly expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh headquarters will further bolster its commercial, defence, space, and helicopter businesses in the region and globally.

Airbus employs more than 350 people in the kingdom, 30 per cent of whom are Saudi nationals, and the remainder represent more than 30 nationalities.

“We are privileged to see Eid Al Qahtani leading our operations in Saudi Arabia as president for Airbus from our new regional headquarters in Riyadh. Al Qahtani brings valuable insights to the country’s ambitious goals, and he understands the importance of local talent development,” said Wouter Van Wersch, president of Airbus International.

Earlier this year, Airbus signed an agreement with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to support the growth of the industrial ecosystem in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement includes the transfer of technology and expertise to local companies, such as SAMI Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Services, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries and Airbus.

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft in July.

Similarly, the kingdom’s startup carrier, Riyadh Air, ordered 60 Airbus narrowbody A321neo jets to prepare for its commercial operations next year. The airline will receive its first A321 in the second half of 2026, and the last jet will be delivered in 2030.

The carrier would later decide how many A321s, including larger A321 LRs and XLRs, would be included in the order.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air places order for 60 Airbus A321neo