The origins of the airline are inseparable from a diplomatic moment at the end of the Second World War. In 1945, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented a Douglas DC-3 Dakota aircraft as a personal gift to King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. This aircraft, registered as HZ-AAX, became the foundation of civil aviation in Saudi Arabia and was immediately used to transport passengers, mail, and government officials between key cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran. The symbolic and practical importance of this gift cannot be overstated: it demonstrated both geopolitical ties and the recognition that aviation would be essential for governing a vast and sparsely connected kingdom. Within months, additional DC-3 aircraft were purchased, forming the nucleus of what would soon become a national airline.

The airline itself was formally established in September 1945 (with organizational development continuing into 1946) as a government-owned entity under the Ministry of Defense, reflecting the strategic importance of aviation in the early Saudi state. In its earliest phase, operations were modest but highly purposeful. Aircraft were used not only for domestic connectivity but also for transporting pilgrims, a function that would remain central to the airline’s identity. One of the first notable international flights took place in 1946–1947, linking Saudi Arabia with Palestine and returning via Beirut with Hajj pilgrims bound for Mecca. These early routes already highlighted the airline’s dual mission: supporting internal development and facilitating religious travel on a regional scale.

By March 1947, Saudi Arabian Airlines began its first scheduled domestic services using a small fleet of five DC-3 aircraft. These routes connected Jeddah, Riyadh, Hofuf, and Dhahran, effectively integrating major administrative and economic centers of the kingdom. At a time when ground infrastructure was limited and distances vast, aviation quickly became the most efficient means of transportation, playing a critical role in national cohesion and development. The same year also saw the expansion of international services, with Cairo becoming the first regular foreign destination, followed soon after by routes to Damascus and Beirut.

The late 1940s marked the beginning of systematic fleet expansion and operational diversification. By 1949, the airline had introduced the Bristol 170, a versatile aircraft capable of carrying both passengers and cargo, reflecting growing logistical needs in the region. At the same time, the total fleet had grown significantly, reaching over a dozen aircraft, and the airline began to balance passenger services with freight operations. This expansion coincided with increasing demand driven by the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which required the transport of large numbers of passengers from across the Middle East and beyond.

Throughout the 1950s, Saudi Arabian Airlines entered a phase of consolidation and technological modernization. A key feature of this period was the involvement of Trans World Airlines, which managed the airline under contract and provided technical expertise, training, and operational support. This partnership was crucial in transforming the airline from a basic operator into a more structured and professionally managed carrier. The fleet was expanded with more advanced aircraft, including Convair 340s, Douglas DC-4s, and additional DC-3s, enabling longer routes and improved passenger comfort.

At the same time, the airline significantly expanded its route network across the Middle East and nearby regions. By the early 1950s, destinations included Amman, Karachi, Istanbul, Kuwait, and various Gulf and African cities, demonstrating a shift from purely regional links to a broader international presence.

This expansion was not random but closely tied to economic and religious flows, particularly the movement of pilgrims and the growing importance of Saudi Arabia in global oil markets. Domestically, new airports and upgraded facilities in cities such as Madinah and Jizan allowed the airline to extend its reach into previously isolated areas, further reinforcing its role in national integration.

The mid-1950s also saw important technological improvements. In 1954, the airline introduced the Convair 340, its first pressurized aircraft, which significantly enhanced passenger comfort and allowed for higher-altitude, longer-distance flights.

This transition marked a shift from purely utilitarian aviation toward a more modern commercial airline model. By the end of the decade, infrastructure improvements accompanied fleet growth, including the opening of a major maintenance center in Jeddah in 1959, which strengthened the airline’s operational independence and technical capabilities.

By the early 1960s, Saudi Arabian Airlines had matured into a regional carrier with expanding international ambitions and a diversified fleet. The most significant milestone of this period came in 1962, when the airline entered the jet age with the acquisition of two Boeing 720 aircraft.

These jets represented a dramatic leap in speed, range, and capacity, enabling the airline to compete with more established international carriers and to modernize its services. The Boeing 720s were deployed on key regional routes such as Cairo, Beirut, and Amman, signaling the airline’s transition from a developing carrier into a modern airline with global aspirations.