Latest news with #SaudbinNaifbinAbdulaziz
Arabian Post
21-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
New Low‑Cost Airline Set to Lift Dammam's Aviation Prospects
A consortium led by Air Arabia and partners Nesma Group and KUN Holding has secured approval from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation to establish and operate a low‑cost carrier based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The airline is expected to begin operations in 2026, with a fleet of 45 aircraft serving 24 domestic and 57 international destinations by 2030. GACA projects the carrier will transport around 10 million passengers annually and generate over 2,400 direct jobs. The airline forms part of the kingdom's broader National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, boost non‑oil revenues, and position Saudi Arabia as a global aviation hub. Officials emphasised that improved seat capacity from the Eastern Province will provide travellers with more competitive options and strengthen connectivity in both regional and global markets. Air Arabia brings extensive low‑cost carrier experience to the alliance. Founded in 2003 and headquartered at Sharjah, UAE, the airline is the region's first and largest budget operator, currently managing a network spanning over 80 destinations, with more than 170 routes when including its subsidiaries. Nesma Group, a diversified Saudi conglomerate active in construction, hospitality and aviation services, partners through Nesma Airlines—a regional operator established in 2007. KUN Investment Holding contributes capital and local expertise, complementing the strategic framework. ADVERTISEMENT The consortium's ambitions align with enhancements unveiled in Dammam's aviation infrastructure. Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz unveiled integrated development plans for King Fahd International, Al‑Ahsa and Qaisumah airports, along with a SAR 1.6 billion package to modernise services, install electronic gates and boost passenger convenience. King Fahd International handled 12 million passengers in 2024—a 15 percent increase over the previous year—and posted record volumes, underscoring the region's growing appeal. The new airline will also enhance competition against existing carriers. Saudi Arabia already hosts low‑cost operators such as flynas and flyadeal, both headquartered in Jeddah and operating from Dammam. Flynas currently fields 65 aircraft across 88 destinations, while flyadeal, a subsidiary of national carrier Saudia, operates 42 aircraft. The entry of a Dammam‑based low‑cost airline is expected to intensify competition on price and route coverage, particularly along under‑served domestic and international sectors. Air Arabia's network strength is a key asset. The carrier has built a proven operational model via its hubs in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan, which may accelerate launch efficiency in Saudi Arabia. CEO Adel Al Ali and Nesma Group President Faisal Bin Saleh Al‑Turki affirmed that the partnership will deliver reliable value‑driven travel, support economic growth, and bolster national employment in Eastern Province and beyond. Challenges will include ramping up fleet acquisition, training, infrastructure integration and regulatory alignment. Airline licence formalities, expected to be completed next year, will pave the way for aircraft procurement ahead of the projected 2026 launch. Operational rollout will require close coordination with authorities at King Fahd International—including the new Dammam Airports Co. corporate identity and enhanced gate systems—to ensure seamless passenger experience. The introduction of a Dammam‑centric budget airline dovetails with the broader objective of accommodating 330 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo annually across Saudi airports by 2030. Infrastructure investments and strategic alignment across multiple regions aim to imprint Eastern Province as a key aviation hub, reinforcing national goals of economic diversification and global logistics prominence.
Leaders
08-04-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Khobar Governorate Climbs 38 Places in 2025 Smart City Index
The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) announced today that Khobar Governorate has made a significant leap in the Smart City Index 2025, climbing 38 places to rank 61st globally. This remarkable advancement underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's continued progress in digital transformation and innovation. Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Region and Chairman of the Sharqia Development Authority, stated that Khobar's rise in the rankings reflects the Kingdom's ambitious vision to transform its cities into world-class urban models. Moreover, Prince Saud emphasized that this achievement is the result of close cooperation between public and private sectors, working together to build a technologically advanced, economically sustainable, and investment-friendly environment. He reaffirmed his strong support for continuing this development journey and achieving even greater milestones. Omar bin Saleh Al-Abdullatif, CEO of the Sharqia Development Authority, highlighted that Khobar's improved ranking illustrates the Kingdom's broader advancements across multiple sectors. He also pointed to the city's attractive environment for talent and professionals, ecological diversity, and robust infrastructure—both physical and digital. He credited the progress to ongoing investments in modern technology integration across health, education, transport, culture, and governance. Related Topics: Diriyah Company, Giza Systems Partner on Smart City Initiative KAFD Enhances Smart City Sustainability, Security in New Strategic Partnership Saudi Expands Adoption of Smart City Technology in Riyadh SDAIA Marks Its Presence at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona Short link : Post Views: 19
Leaders
12-03-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Eastern Region Governor Meets Chairman of Saudi-Korean Business Council
Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Region, welcomed Fahd bin Saad Al-Walan, Chairman of the Saudi-Korean Business Council, along with council members, during a meeting held at his office today. Prince Saud commended the council's role in fostering collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Korean investors and companies. He emphasized the vast opportunities available in the Kingdom, supported by the wise leadership, and noted the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's investment landscape. Moreover, this growth, driven by ongoing economic developments, has strengthened the appeal of the Saudi market, paving the way for sustainable development and expanding economic prospects. During the meeting, Al-Walan presented an overview of the council's initiatives, including efforts to engage various companies in exploring cooperative opportunities with Saudi businessmen at the upcoming 2025 Al-Ahsa Economic Forum. He also discussed several national projects involving Korean entrepreneurs, aimed at boosting trade and investment ties between the two nations. Al-Walan highlighted key recommendations and outcomes from these efforts, which align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and contribute to the development of robust economic partnerships. Related Topics : Gold Medalists from ATHKA Olympiad Join Global Program at Oxford SDAIA Showcases AI Support for Entrepreneurs at Saudi-Korean Business Forum Exclusive Interview: KOTEC Director on Boosting Saudi-Korean Tech Partnerships SDAIA, KSU to Launch Generative Artificial Intelligence Forum Short link : Post Views: 23 Related Stories
Arab News
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Eastern Province governor launches Green East initiative
RIYADH: Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz recently inaugurated the Green East initiative, a project designed to expand vegetation cover and combat desertification across the region. The governor also launched the Eastern Province Afforestation Office, which will coordinate efforts to meet national environmental sustainability targets under Saudi Arabia's Green Initiative. Yousef Al-Badr, director-general of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification's Eastern Province branch, said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to rehabilitate land, enhance biodiversity, and improve quality of life. He emphasized that the project extends beyond tree planting to include long-term desertification mitigation strategies. Prince Saud witnessed the signing of four memoranda of understanding to advance the Green East initiative. The agreements include partnerships with the Eastern Province Municipality to integrate green spaces into urban planning and a collaboration with Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University for sustainable land management research. Additional signatories include the Eastern Province Council for Social Responsibility, tasked with mobilizing community engagement, and the Friends of the Environment Society, which will lead public awareness campaigns. The agreements were signed by Turki Al-Tamimi, deputy governor of the Eastern Province, and Al-Badr, who thanked the governor for his support, reiterating the center's commitment to achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 environmental goals. The Green East initiative is under the umbrella of the Saudi Green Initiative, launched in 2021. Through SGI, Saudi Arabia aims to proactively address climate impacts by planting 10 billion trees and rehabilitating 74 million hectares of degraded land. This nationwide effort seeks to revive ecosystems, improve air quality, reduce sandstorms, and enhance natural carbon capture. Efforts across the Kingdom are already having a positive impact: Over 100 million trees and shrubs have been planted since 2021, alongside the rehabilitation of 118,000 hectares of degraded land. Studies project a temperature decrease of up to 2.2°C in city centers due to expanded tree canopy cover, while more than 1,150 field surveys have been conducted nationwide to support the 10 billion trees program. The Green East initiative exemplifies SGI's 'whole-of-society' approach, combining afforestation, research, urban greening, and community participation to drive sustainable environmental progress.
