Backed by the rapid expansion of its international network, Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier Saudia has been ranked 23rd in the Skytrax list of the world’s best airlines for 2023. The 2023 World Airline Awards were announced at a ceremony held in Air and Space Museum at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday. The full-service carrier, which launched its second destination to France earlier this month, jumped 11 positions from last year’s ranking of 34, making it one of the fastest-growing airlines in the region. Formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudia is continuing its rapid rise up Skytrax’s ranking, having moved from 82nd to 51st in 2017, and then to 26th in 2021, winning the award for the most improved airline in each of those years. Started in 1999 by Skytrax, the World Airline Awards is widely regarded as the Oscars of the aviation industry, with its rankings based on customer surveys. Singapore Airlines was voted the world’s best airline in 2023, followed by Qatar Airways. Emirates was ranked fourth. The advancement in the Skytrax classification is timely for Saudia as the state carrier is working toward contributing to the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Aviation Sector Strategy. In March, Skytrax placed Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International 44th on its list of the world’s best airports, up six places from 2022. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport rose from 29th to 27th place, while the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah climbed three spots from last year to be ranked 41st globally. Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah climbed six positions to secure 52nd place in the world’s best airports.