Singapore Airbus A330 MRTT Evacuates Citizens From Saudi Arabia

SINGAPORE deployed its Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to evacuate its citizens from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia following the intensifying conflict between Iran, Israel and the US which have affected several countries in the region.

A joint Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement read, “In response to the urgent need of Singaporeans in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for assisted departure to Singapore, and given the lack of feasible commercial options in the region, the Singapore Government will deploy a Republic of Singapore Air Force A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the assisted departure of Singaporeans from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 10 March 2026. A second flight from Saudi Arabia is being planned for 12 March 2026. The deployment of the MRTTs to Saudi Arabia serve solely to support the assisted departure operations.”

The first flight touched down in Changi Airport on March 11, with 218 Singaporeans and dependents on board. A second flight for more evacuations took off earlier today on March 12 to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Singapore is currently the only Southeast Asian nation operating the A330 MRTT aircraft, previously proving its vast capabilities by sending humanitarian to Gaza and evacuating citizens from Afghanistan.

The A330 MRTT has been floated to other potential customers too, including Malaysia and Indonesia. Aside from its role in air-to-air-refuelling (AAR), the A330 can deliver up to 45 tonnes of cargo with 37 tonnes being cargo. Aside from that, the aircraft can accommodate up to 300 personnel in airline seat configuration. Additionally, the aircraft can be configured for aeromedical evacuation,  its flexible MedEvac (medical evacuation) cabin arrangements can facilitiate up to 40 stretchers, 20 medical staff seats and 100 passengers.

Last September, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) ordered an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Plus (MRTT+) which uses the A330neo based on the evolved combat-proven, aerial refuelling and transport A330 MRTT. The RTAF’s future A330 MRTT+ will be equipped with both the hose-and-drogue, and a boom for air-to-air refuelling (AAR) systems. Furthermore, Airbus’ Medical Evacuation kit solution will come in a VVIP cabin configuration. 

The aircraft is scheduled to enter into military conversion at the A330 MRTT Centre in Getafe, Spain, in 2026, with final delivery to customer in 2029. Retaining 95% airframe commonality with the current A330 MRTT fleet, the A330 MRTT+ ensures a common training process and access to a robust global maintenance network.