Agreement provides blueprint for integrated cultural programme and heritage fellowships  Emphasis on collaboration and co-creation under five-year umbrella partnership  It opens a new chapter in UNESCO-Saudi relationship, which has roots going back 75 years   AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 25 September, 2023: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have signed in July 2023 a pioneering agreement that opens a new chapter for cultural collaboration, chartering the course for a new phase in AlUla’s long history as a nexus for cultural exchange and development.    The agreement was announced at the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee, chaired by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh this month. It launches Phase 2 of the five-year ......read more

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 September, 2023 – Emirates has deployed three additional flights to Riyadh to support the influx of travelers to and from the Kingdom over the National Day weekend.   Conveniently scheduled so travelers can make the most of the celebrations, the additional flights will depart Dubai International Airport on 20 September, 21 September and 24 September. All flights will be operated on Boeing 777 aircraft and will run in parallel to Emirates’ existing schedule to the Kingdom.   Connecting travelers from the Kingdom to over 140 destinations on its vast global network via its hub in Dubai, Emirates offers onwards connectivity to North America, Southern Africa and Europe. Renowned for providing a full service offering onboard, Emirates offers passengers regional gourmet meals and over 6,500 ......read more

 Findings published within ‘Revealing Cultural Landscapes in North-West Arabia’ examine the art, rituals, and practices of civilisations that lived in the northern Arabian Peninsula from the Palaeolithic through to Islamic period AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 5 September 2023: Recent discoveries by leading international archaeologists and researchers have helped to shed new light on the complex cultural heritage landscape of ancient AlUla and the wider north-west Arabia region. The findings, presented in the new book ‘Revealing Cultural Landscapes in North-West Arabia’ Supplement to the Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, vol. 51’, are a compendium of articles edited by Dr Rebecca Foote, Director of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Research at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), along ......read more

- The flagship festival returns this year with expertly crafted wellness experiences curated by world-class industry experts for the third time. - The Acclaimed '5 Senses Sanctuary' will take centerstage offering unparalleled sensorial experiences. - This year’s edition will feature a wide variety of programs of holistic workshops and activities inspired by the historical and natural heritage of AlUla.   AlUla, Saudi Arabia – 28th August 2023:   AlUla Moments announced today the return of the much-anticipated AlUla Wellness Festival 2023, taking place from October 19th to November 04th.  The two-weeks flagship festival is dedicated to promoting mind, body, and wellness and offers a diverse array of holistic workshops and activities inspired by AlUla's rich historical and ......read more

 Invited experts from around the world to gather at AlUla, KSA from September 13-15  Multi-sector reflection on how archaeology and cultural heritage can contribute to wider transformational changes in society   ‘Where the world came to meet, and where we will meet again’   AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 11 August 2023: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is gathering international leaders from the fields of archaeology, cultural heritage, media, innovation, entrepreneurship and more for the first-of-its-kind AlUla World Archaeology Summit. From 13 – 15 September at Maraya in AlUla, this invite-only event will feature panels and informal discussions centred on advancing the field of archaeology at a global scale, contributing to further discovery and innovation ......read more

• ‘AlUla Ever’, part of Assouline’s iconic Travel Series, is now available to purchase online and in select bookstores within the GCC • Luxury publisher Assouline takes readers on an immersive journey through AlUla, curated to capture the ancient oasis city’s seamless fusion of old and new AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 3 August, 2023: The historic destination of AlUla in north-west Saudi Arabia has been immortalised in AlUla Ever, the latest release from luxury publisher Assouline. Featuring visually rich stories and compelling narratives, the essence of AlUla is expertly captured and communicated through Assouline’s unparalleled signature style. Released today across the GCC, the new addition to the Assouline’s Travel Series takes readers on an artfully curated journey ......read more

 The 6th Ithra Art Prize worth $100,000 will feature prominently at the 2024 AlUla Arts Festival    DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, 2 AUGUST, 2023 – The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) are excited to invite entries for the 6th edition of the Ithra Art Prize under a comprehensive partnership to promote and grow the arts and cultural industries across Saudi Arabia. The open call for the prize, which comes with a grant of $100,000, closes on September 30, 2023. The winning artwork will be unveiled during the AlUla Arts Festival in February 2024.    One of the most significant grants in the region, the Ithra Art Prize at AlUla supports the partnership aim to empower the creative sector. This edition will focus on outdoor installation art and sculpture, ......read more

- Dish Dash, Baloo and Kayan are among the stellar line up of regional artists performing at AZIMUTH amplified by MDLBEAST 2023 - Early Bird tickets on sale starting July 21 Here - International headliners to be announced soon    AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 20 July 2023:   AZIMUTH amplified by MDLBEAST, the highly anticipated music event, reveals today an electrifying lineup showcasing the best regional stars including Dish Dash, Baloo, KAYAN and many more.  Taking place on September 21-22 over the Saudi National Day long weekend, AZIMUTH amplified by MDLBEAST will transform stunning and historical AlUla into an exceptional gathering of art, sound and music during an unmissable weekend extravaganza.    Early Bird tickets for the limited capacity two-day festival will be ......read more

• BAC Saudi Arabia is launched following the successful dynamic debut of the Mono R at the March 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah  • Expansion into Saudi Arabia, a strategically pivotal market for BAC, represents the latest stage in the company’s global expansion, having recently appointed brand-new dealership partners in North America and Asia • BAC’s presence in Saudi Arabia is in response to strong demand for the Mono range in the country and across the Middle East • BAC Saudi Arabia will operate out of regional hubs located in the iconic Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah     17 July 2023 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia   Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) is continuing to push ahead with its ambitious global expansion roadmap, having today ......read more

Italian Institution, Centro Conservazione E Restauro “La Venaria Reale”, Partners with the Royal Commission for Alula to Develop the Next Generation of Saudi Conservation Science Experts AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 12 July 2023: Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale” (CCR), an Italian conservation institute, has partnered with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the authority driving the comprehensive regeneration of AlUla, to further develop expertise in the restoration and conservation of northwest Saudi Arabia’s incredible cultural heritage. As part of the partnership, a group of 12 young Saudi professionals and new university graduates selected by RCU have travelled from AlUla to Italy for a knowledge exchange programme. The group of 6 women and 6 men will participate in workshops in both ......read more

06 July 2023 -  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2023 global air cargo markets showing weak market conditions. • Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), fell 5.2% compared to May 2022 (-6.0% for international operations).  • Capacity, as measured by available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), rose 14.5% compared to May 2022, primarily driven by belly capacity which increases as demand in the passenger business recovers. Capacity is now 5.9% above May 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.  • Key factors influencing demand include:    o The global manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) indicates an annual contraction of 1.4% in new export orders and a decrease of 5.2% year-on-year in production PMI. This suggests a cooling in global ......read more

21, June 2023 – SITA, the leading IT provider to the air transport industry, has announced the re-election of Dr Omar Jefri, of Saudi Arabian Airlines, as Chair of the SITA Board of Directors.  Dr Jefri was reappointed as a Board Director by SITA’s Shareholders at its Annual General Assembly (AGA) on 14 June 2023. Following his reappointment, the SITA Board met and re-elected Dr Jefri as Chair for a further three-year term.  Dr Jefri has a wide breadth of experience in aviation and academia. With nearly 40 years combined expertise, he includes strategic transformation, corporate management and regulations, IT, and shared services management among his leadership skills. In his academic career he has served as both Assistant Professor and a member of faculty.  The SITA Board supervises the activities of ......read more

AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – June 18, 2023:  A retreat from the heat and busyness of the city awaits in the oasis of AlUla this summer with the ancient desert offering untold stories for visitors.   A hidden gem that promises relaxation, wellness and adventure experiences among the epic landscapes, AlUla is just a short flight away but offers tranquility that feels a million miles away.    Located in north-western Saudi Arabia, AlUla also boasts low humidity and temperatures that are between 5C to 10C cooler than other cities in the gulf region, making it an ideal summer escape.   Visitors can take advantage of less crowds, enticing offers and indulge in a luxurious stay at one of the desert resorts complete with curated cultural experiences, holistic wellness treatments, walkable scenic oases, ......read more

Riyadh:  Smart design is central to any plan meant for boosting profitability or a brand image. When it comes to a water park, a good design increases the length of time the guest stays in the park and boosts its overall profitability, thus enhancing the overall user experience. WhiteWater, the leading designer and manufacturer of aquatic amenities, gathers top experts, including architects, engineers, and mechanical specialists, to help water parks achieve the delicate balance between creativity, safety, and efficiency.  While so doing, WhiteWater values factors like capacity — appealing to diverse demographics — sustainability, traffic flow, guest circulation, and revenue generation. It helps establish a strong foundation for long-term success. These design elements are crucial in shaping the success of a ......read more

11 June 2023 (Riyadh) New Google commissioned research into consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia revealed growing interest in local tourism and expressions of pride in Saudi culture and heritage. The insights, that aim to help businesses have a greater understanding of their customers, were revealed at the Google Marketing Live event in Riyadh, a flagship event showcasing Google’s latest ads product innovations.  An analysis conducted by IPSOS and commissioned by Google, found that people in Saudi Arabia are diversifying expressions of pride in local culture and heritage; with 54% of those surveyed indicating that they express their pride by  buying and using locally made products. The survey also  found that over half of those surveyed attended local cultural events and  almost 60% have traveled domestically ......read more

Designs are finalized and construction is underway for the ambitious luxury resort Built directly into the mountains of Sharaan Nature Reserve, the project follows the AlUla Sustainability Charter with efficient heating and cooling, and zero wastewater   AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 7 June 2023: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has begun construction of its Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The project will be built directly into the mountains of Sharaan Nature Reserve and aims to meet ambitious sustainability goals for the construction phase and resort operations.    In a ceremony at Sharaan Nature Reserve, RCU signed an agreement with Bouygues Construction, a French engineering group, which will manage construction of the resort through a joint venture ......read more

05 June 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced an expected strengthening of airline industry profitability in an upgrade of its outlook for 2023. Highlights include: Airline industry net profits are expected to reach $9.8 billion in 2023 (1.2% net profit margin) which is more than double the previous forecast of $4.7 billion (December 2022). Airline industry operating profits are expected to reach $22.4 billion in 2023, much improved over the December forecast of a $3.2 billion operating profit. It is also more than double the $10.1 billion operating profit estimated for 2022. Some 4.35 billion people are expected to travel in 2023, which is closing in on the 4.54 billion who flew in 2019. Cargo volumes are expected to be 57.8 million tonnes, which has slipped below the 61.5 million tonnes ......read more

4 June 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled a series of roadmaps aimed at providing step-by-step detailing of critical actions and dependencies for aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. These roadmaps address aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, operations, finance, and policy considerations leading to net zero.   With the adoption of a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) at ICAO’s 41st Assembly, governments and industry are aligned to reach the same net zero CO2 emissions goal by 2050. As policy initiatives lay the foundation on which many of the needed innovations and actions will rest, these roadmaps will be a critical reference point for policy makers.    “The roadmaps are the first detailed assessment of the key steps necessary to ......read more

• Activities range from night hikes, stargazing and tours of heritage sites Hegra, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and AlUla Old Town • AlUla boasts low humidity and cooler temperatures, making it a perfect summer getaway AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – May 24, 2023: The vibrant holiday destination of AlUla is gearing up to offer visitors an exceptional summer experience. The ancient city is brimming with an exciting range of activities and events, including immersive tours of its historic monuments, majestic landscape, serene hikes amid rocky outcrops, and magical stargazing opportunities. Located in north-western Saudi Arabia, AlUla boasts low humidity and temperatures that are between 5C to 10C cooler than other cities in the region, making it an ideal escape for travellers in search of a unique experience and some ......read more

Will launch more than 260 new digital services within two years RIYADH, Monday, May 23, 2023: SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has signed an agreement with global professional services firm Accenture paving the way for a digital transformation program that will make the airline’s guest experience seamless and highly personalized while improving operational efficiency. Through this agreement, SAUDIA will use artificial intelligence technologies to significantly enhance its digital infrastructure and build more than 260 new digital and electronic services in two years. SAUDIA’s guests will be able to enjoy more personalized services and a smooth travel experience possible across the entire travel cycle, from ticket search and booking to check-in, and from in-flight services to post-sale ......read more

 AZULIK AlUla Resort will feature 76 luxury villas launching by 2027  Designed in line with the AlUla Sustainability Charter, the resort will connect guests with surrounding natural and human heritage  The development will drive socioeconomic benefits including more than 300 new jobs   AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 22 May 2023: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) will develop a new resort within the Journey Through Time (JTT) masterplan, designed in harmony with the natural environment and aligned with the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, Saudi Green Initiative, and Vision 2030.   The AZULIK AlUla Resort is a stunning eco-luxury property in the Nabatean Horizon District of the JTT masterplan, tucked into canyons near the AlMutadil Equestrian Village development and Wadi AlFann, an ancient valley ......read more

Saudi Arabia, 4 May 2023: Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla has chosen Egis, the multidisciplinary engineering and operations company, to undertake several projects related to the development of the Private Aircraft Terminal, otherwise known as a Fixed Based Operator or FBO, at AlUla's International Airport.  This new project is a continuation of the collaborative work between RCU and Egis which began last year with the opening in November of a new airport hangar for private aircraft. Built in line with clean energy standards, the 3,000sqm hangar is equipped with ground flight and engineering crews and can also provide long-term parking services. Egis’ current scope of work is divided into two components: expansion of the existing hangar, to provide the necessary storage, maintenance and operations ......read more

• 127 commercial aircraft delivered in Q1 2023 • Revenues € 11.8 billion; EBIT Adjusted € 0.8 billion • EBIT (reported) € 0.4 billion; EPS (reported) € 0.59 • Free cash flow before M&A and customer financing € -0.9 billion • Guidance unchanged   04 May 2023 – Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) reported consolidated financial results for its First Quarter (Q1) ending 31 March 2023.   “The first quarter confirmed strong demand for our products, particularly for commercial aircraft. We delivered 127 commercial aircraft, which is reflected in the Q1 financials. The quarter also benefited from a good performance in Helicopters,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to face an adverse operating ......read more

AlUla, Saudi Arabia – 27 April 2023: From April 26th to May 13th AlUla is set to come alive with the AlUla Skies Festival, a celebration of the sky’s wonders and a showcase of the region’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, a photography or cultural enthusiast, the festival has something to offer for everyone.  Here are the top ten unmissable activities during the AlUla Skies Festival.   1. Soar high with hot air balloon rides One of the main highlights of the AlUla Skies Festival is the opportunity to take a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes of AlUla. The untethered hot air balloon tour is set to take visitors on a 45-minute ride through AlUla’s clear morning skies capturing the unique rock ......read more

13 April 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomes the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ratification of the Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14), a move that will strengthen the global legal deterrent against unruly and disruptive passenger incidents onboard flights.  “IATA welcomes the leadership shown by the UAE in ratifying MP14. Not only will this give the UAE authorities important new powers in dealing with unruly passengers that land in the country, but as a major aviation market and ICAO Council member, it will also encourage other States to ratify MP14. Ensuring greater international harmonization and strengthening the legal deterrent against unruly and disruptive passengers who pose a threat to passenger and crew wellbeing and safety onboard is a priority for the entire airline industry,” ......read more

#SecureLandCommunications #CritComms #F1Jeddah Jeddah, KSA -   20 March 2023 – Airbus rolled out its mission-critical solutions in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the motorsport spectacle’s official secure communication technology provider.   Deployed in the vital points of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit were Airbus TMR880i, THR880i, TH1N, and TH9 Tetra radios and RCS9500 Radio Dispatch Console. Providing secure collaboration and connectivity between organisers and security teams, the technologies were pivotal to safeguarding the people and the venue whilst guaranteeing seamless on-site race activities and operations.  Selim Bouri, Vice-president for Airbus Secure Land Communications in Africa, Asia and the Middle East said: “Clear, concise and secure communication is an important ......read more

08 March 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2023 global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand declined as economic headwinds persist.    • Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), fell 14.9% compared to January 2022 (-16.2% for international operations).  • Capacity (measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, ACTK) was up 3.9% compared to January 2022. This was the first year-on-year growth in capacity since October 2022. International cargo capacity increased 1.4% compared to January 2022. The uptick in ACTKs reflects the strong recovery of belly capacity in passenger airline markets offsetting a decline international capacity offered by dedicated freighters.  • Several factors in the operating environment ......read more

• The Dubai-based carrier adds two new destinations to its network with the launch of flights to Al Qaisumah and Neom and resumes flights to Jizan and Najran Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 03 March 2023:  flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has announced today the launch of four destinations in Saudi Arabia. This includes the start of flights to Neom from 16 March, Najran from 18 March, Al Qaisumah from 21 March and Jizan from 26 April. Earlier this year, the airline also resumed its operations to AlUla with a twice-weekly service from 12 January. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “flydubai remains committed to opening up underserved markets and so we are pleased to offer our customers more options for travel with the launch of these four destinations. As Saudi Arabia continues on its ......read more

Launches New Premium Experience Campaign featuring the actor DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has launched a new brand campaign in collaboration with world-renowned Indian actor, Deepika Padukone. The campaign launch is the culmination of the airline's endeavour to redefine Qatar Airways Premium experience, particularly through showcasing the world-class Qsuite along with the unparalleled surroundings of The Orchard, which are core to Hamad International Airport’s expansion. The timeless acoustic track ‘Ain’t Nobody’ accompanies the campaign that connects Padukone’s journey with Qatar Airways to a new level of luxury and elegance. She encapsulates the premium experience available to customers of Qatar Airways, transiting through the best airport in the world, Hamad International Airport. Qatar ......read more

Riyadh, KSA - 28 Feb 2023: Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), which operates and manages King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), has announced the successful trial of Smart Path, a facial recognition technology, at International Terminal 2 in partnership with the air transport technology company, SITA. The technology, which was tested at check-in counters and boarding gates recognizes the passengers’ digital identity when stepping up to the camera. The facial image is directly linked to the passengers’ physical passport and travel documents at check-in. This allows them to be identified at security or boarding by simply taking a picture.  This trial is part of RAC’s effort towards digitally transforming King Khalid International Airport into a smart airport in the future in compliance with the standards of ......read more

26, February 2023:  Creating a new milestone in its network expansion strategy, Oman’s value-for-money airline SalamAir has announced direct flights to two new destinations Mashhad in Iran and Almaty in Kazakhstan. Mashhad is the third destination in Iran for the airline, with flights to Shiraz and Tehran already in its network, and Almaty is the airline's first entry into Kazakhstan. Weekly flights from Muscat to Mashhad and Almaty are scheduled for starting from February 21 and 1st July 2023 respectively. These two routes serve a high demand for medical, business, and leisure tourism. The new flights will also offer convenient connections to the SalamAir network. Speaking of the two new routes, Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said, “Iran has been one of the key focus markets for us, and we are pleased ......read more

The national airline celebrates its first flight to Medina, expanding affordable, hassle-free travel for tourists and residents in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia  16, February 2023, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, has commenced operations on the new route of Medina, a centre of Islamic culture. The new destinations further strengthen regional connectivity with high quality point-to-point travel on WIZZ’s convenient flight schedule. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app with fares starting as low as AED 219 *. Medina, a historical city of religious significance, boasts breath-taking views and architecture. Known as ‘The Enlightened City’, Medina is home to Al Masjid an Nabawi, the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) ......read more

• ADU is the first academic institution in the world to take this initiative  • Trained GPT-3 will revolutionize the way ADU-related inquiries and services are delivered   Abu Dhabi, UAE, 16 February 2023: In a continues bid to integrate breakthrough solutions and tap into the potential of the groundbreaking GPT-3 technology, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) to become the first educational institution in the world to train GPT-3 on its data and services. The integration of the technology seeks to better support students, faculty and staff through providing enhanced and efficient services while setting a new standard for education technology.  By leveraging the power of GPT-3, ADU will support data-driven decision-making, enhance learning outcomes and promote the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) ......read more

7 February 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that 2022 full-year demand for air cargo took a significant step back from 2021 levels but was close to 2019 performance.   • Global full-year demand in 2022, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was down 8.0% compared to 2021 (-8.2% for international operations). Compared to 2019, it was down 1.6% (both global and international). • Capacity in 2022, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), was 3.0% above 2021 (+4.5% for international operations). Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels, capacity declined by 8.2% (-9.0% for international operations). • December saw a softening in performance: global demand was 15.3% below 2021 levels (-15.8% for international ......read more

7 February 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery in air travel continued in December 2022 and for the full year.  • Total traffic in 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 64.4% compared to 2021. Globally, full year 2022 traffic was at 68.5% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels. December 2022 total traffic rose 39.7% compared to December 2021 and reached 76.9% of the December 2019 level. • International traffic in 2022 climbed 152.7% versus 2021 and reached 62.2% of 2019 levels. December 2022 international traffic climbed 80.2% over December 2021, reaching 75.1% of the level in December 2019. • Domestic traffic for 2022 rose 10.9% compared to the prior year. 2022 domestic traffic was at 79.6% of the full year 2019 level. December 2022 ......read more

The new routes from Budapest, Bucharest and Rome will provide affordable point-to-point travel opportunities and enhance global connectivity  Jeddah, 12 January 2023: On 9, 10 and 11 of January 2023, Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and globally most environmentally sustainable* airline, officially inaugurated three new connections between Bucharest and Jeddah, Budapest and Jeddah and Rome and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The new routes will be served twice a week. Tickets can be purchased on Wizz Air's website and via the WIZZ app from as low as 29.99 EUR*. Wizz Air kicked off 2023 further strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia by launching five new routes from Hungary, Romania and Italy to Riyadh and Jeddah. The new routes to Jeddah from Bucharest, Budapest and Rome will boost the growing Saudi Arabian tourism ......read more

10, January 2023:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the air travel recovery continued through November 2022.    • Total traffic in November 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 41.3% compared to November 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 75.3% of November 2019 levels.  • International traffic rose 85.2% versus November 2021. The Asia-Pacific continued to report the strongest year-over-year results with all regions showing improvement compared to the prior year. November 2022 international RPKs reached 73.7% of November 2019 levels.  • Domestic traffic for November 2022 was up 3.4% compared to November 2021 with travel restrictions in China continuing to dampen the global result. Total November 2022 domestic traffic was at 77.7% of ......read more

The Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah is no ordinary airport terminal. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and a winner of the 1983 Aga Khan Award, it became a port of entry and junction point for hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims from around the world on their way to Awwal Bait – the First House of Allah, the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, a building at the centre of Islam’s most famous mosque.  When the terminal opened, it had the world’s largest cable-stayed, fabric-roofed construction; as it was made on an unprecedented scale, the tensile structure made use of newly developed fabric as a permanent structural element instead of the cable-supported in two directions technique, making it a first-of-sorts in airport design.  Today, the Islamic Arts Biennale re-imagines this ......read more

04 January 2023:  “Several countries are introducing COVID-19 testing and other measures for travellers from China, even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders. It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years.  Research undertaken around the arrival of the Omicron variant concluded that putting barriers in the way of travel made no difference to the peak spread of infections. At most, restrictions delayed that peak by a few days. If a new variant emerges in any part of the world, the same situation would be expected.   That’s why governments should listen to the advice of experts, including the WHO, that advise against travel restrictions. We have the tools to manage COVID-19 without ......read more

Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity to create the most advanced water parks in the world. - Jeremy Gray, VP of Business Development at WhiteWater  Riyadh:  Not wanting to be left out in the era of digitization when intelligent automation rules the roost, the water parks sector has been exploring new technologies to improve its operations. Organizations all over the world are looking to create touchless experiences to streamline operations to reduce costs and pain points, which makes countries like Saudi Arabia double the size of its economy to $1.6 trillion, adding an additional $293 billion by 2030, according to a new study by Automation Anywhere. WhiteWater, the world’s largest supplier of water parks and services, has expanded beyond the world of attractions with a software arm called Vantage, which was ......read more