Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has been diagnosed with lung inflammation and is undergoing treatment in Jeddah. The 88-year-old monarch’s condition has forced Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to postpone a planned trip to Japan. The Crown Prince, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday to discuss regional developments, including the conflict in Gaza and the need for a two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is poised for a summer of unparalleled excitement with the launch of the Saudi Summer Program 2024. This four-month extravaganza, running from May 22nd to September, will spotlight seven key destinations offering an array of over 550 tourism products and 150 special offers tailored for families and children. Jeddah Season and Aseer Season are set to make their grand return, showcasing the nation’s cultural, natural, and climatic diversity.
The National Industrial Development Center (NIDC), AHQ Group, and Embraer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a joint strategy for strengthening the Saudi Arabian aerospace sector. The collaboration aims to integrate Embraer aircraft into the country’s aviation sector and explore opportunities in technology, supply chain management, and human resources development. This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to promote industrial growth and diversification.
British Airways has announced a new route from the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia, expanding its offerings for UK travelers. The airline will now offer flights from London Heathrow to Jeddah, starting on November 4, 2024, enhancing connectivity to the Kingdom with four flights per week. This service complements existing daily flights between Riyadh and London. To mark the launch, British Airways is offering promotional fares, starting from 1905 SAR for economy class and 16079 SAR for business class.
Sungrow, a leading provider of PV inverters and energy storage systems, has partnered with Larsen & Toubro to supply 165MW of PV inverters and 160MW/760MWh of energy storage systems for AMAALA, an exclusive destination in Saudi Arabia. This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, driving sustainable energy development. AMAALA aims to be the world’s second-largest off-grid energy storage facility, providing continuous, zero-emission green power. It will not only contribute to Saudi Arabia’s carbon neutrality goals but also stimulate the local economy.
Saudia Group has unveiled the biggest aircraft transaction in Saudi aviation history with Airbus on the opening day of the Future Aviation Forum 2024, hosted in Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. The pivotal deal includes 105 aircraft and is a milestone for both Saudi aviation and the broader MENA region. The agreement, sealed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft Business, involves A320neo and A321neo models. Saudia will acquire 54 A321neo planes, while flyadeal, the group’s budget airline, will take 12 A320neo and 39 A321neo aircraft.
Paris-based quantum computer startup Pasqal has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco to install the first quantum computer in the country. The 200-cubit quantum computer is scheduled for deployment in the second half of 2025 and will be installed, maintained, and operated by Pasqal.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, has reacted to a viral social media post claiming that Saudi Prince Turki bin Salman Al Saud has purchased a new Cybertruck. The post, which featured a photo of the prince beside the car, sent the internet into a frenzy after Musk responded with the one-word caption “Cool.”
Saudi Arabia, Russia, and several Gulf states have expressed concern and offered assistance in the search for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter, which went missing on Sunday. Raisi, 63, and his entourage were traveling to a gas field in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman when the incident occurred. Iranian state media reported that the helicopter crashed in a mountainous area due to poor weather conditions. Emergency personnel and search and rescue teams have been deployed to the site. Saudi Arabia, a longtime rival of Iran, has offered to provide support, underscoring the warming relations between the two countries in recent months. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have also expressed their concern and offered assistance. Russia has offered to send a team of experts to Iran to assist in the search and rescue operations. The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing efforts to improve relations between Iran and its neighbors in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia hosted its first Red Sea Fashion Week, showcasing the country’s growing fashion industry and its efforts to promote tourism. Designer Tima Abid’s collection featured flowing white and beige fabrics, while a second show focused on women’s swimwear, pushing boundaries in the conservative country. The event took place at the St Regis Red Sea Resort, accessible only by chartered boat or seaplane, highlighting the country’s ambitions to develop its tourism sector as part of its Vision 2030 economic reform program.
