Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly closing in on a deal with Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, to bring Starlink satellite internet service to the airline’s entire fleet. According to Bloomberg, the agreement would cover more than 140 aircraft, giving Starlink a significant foothold in one of the Middle East’s largest economies.
The report says Saudia is in the final stages of negotiations, with SpaceX also eyeing additional partnerships in the Gulf. Talks are underway with Bahrain’s Gulf Air and Flydubai, the low-cost carrier owned by the Dubai government. However, Starlink is not yet authorized for use in the United Arab Emirates, meaning any deal with Flydubai would hinge on regulatory approval.
Starlink’s aviation service is offered on a subscription basis, with hardware costs between $300,000 and $500,000 per aircraft, plus a monthly fee per seat. In May, Musk confirmed that Saudi Arabia had approved Starlink for both aviation and maritime use.
Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar already permit Starlink service. Qatar Airways was once the largest airline to partner with Starlink, and the first from the Middle East. The airline first rolled out the service on its Boeing 777 jets, with its 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 fleets next in line for the upgrade.
SpaceX has been rapidly expanding its in-flight connectivity footprint. Just last week, Starlink became available as an after-sales OEM upgrade for Embraer’s premium business jets, further cementing its position in the growing market for high-speed satellite internet in aviation.
If finalized, the Saudia deal would represent one of Starlink’s biggest commercial airline partnerships yet, positioning the service as a major player in Middle Eastern skies.
