Saudi Arabia Creates New Airline, Buys 78 Boeing and Serves 100 Destinations

Dream - Saudi Arabia is intensifying its services for travelers who want to visit the country. After owning Saudia, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially introduced a new airline called Riyadh Air.

To run the business of this new airline, quoting a Devdiscourse report, Tony Douglas, who has extensive experience in the aviation industry, has been appointed as the CEO.

The state news agency SPA reported that Riyadh Air will serve over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030, including Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The operation of this new Saudi Arabian airline is expected to generate $20 billion in revenue for Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP growth. The government also expects to create more than 200,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.

Riyadh Air is fully owned by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has assets of over $600 billion and is driving the government's efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil. 

Saudi Arabia will also buy 78 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for two Saudi Arabian airlines.

A source said on Monday, March 13, 2023, that the two airlines are Saudi Arabian Airlines and Riyadh Air.

HRH Crown Prince announces #RiyadhAir, a new national carrier to further expand the Saudi aviation ecosystem locally and globally.

Read more: https://t.co/emlrIvbU8k pic.twitter.com/xvldmqW6GN

— Public Investment Fund (@PIF_en) March 12, 2023

As previously reported by the Wall Street Journal, the ordered 78 aircraft are worth nearly $37 billion or equivalent to IDR 569.8 trillion. However, airlines usually receive undisclosed discounts when purchasing aircraft.

The total of the 78 Boeing 787s sold will be divided between two buyers and have the option to buy 43 more aircraft, the source said.

Saudi Arabia Opens Casinos and Hotels for Israeli Tourists, Women Allowed to Wear Bikinis

Dream - Saudi Arabia will open casinos and hotels to benefit from the arrival of foreign tourists.

The location of the casino has been prepared on Tiran and Sanafir Islands, which are located around the Red Sea. Even tourists and investors from Israel are allowed to visit the islands.

Israeli media, Globes, reported that Saudi Arabia plans to make Tiran and Sanafir Islands tourist destinations, including hotels and casinos, that can be visited by Israelis.

The site quoted information sources saying that Saudi Arabia will allow Israelis to spend their vacations in Tiran and Sanafir and plans to build a bridge connecting the two islands with Egypt.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's vision focuses on major tourism projects along the Red Sea to Eilat.

The peace agreement between Egypt and Israel aims to guarantee Israel's maritime freedom of movement.

The source also said that the opening of Tiran and Sanafir Islands to Israeli tourists shows Saudi Arabia's desire to take steps closer to Israel.

"However, this vision will be realized gradually and in a way that does not have long-term political significance," said the source, quoted from Middle East Monitor, Friday, January 27, 2023.

A tourism project official in the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia said that the Kingdom will not impose any restrictions on women in the project. Women there can freely wear bikinis.

According to the Hotelier website, Senior Travel Trade Director Loredana Pettinati said that during her time in the UAE, the project will not differentiate between men and women.

Abayas are not mandatory, and proof of marriage or marriage certificates are not required to accompany a woman or book a hotel.

"There will be no restrictions for women, throughout Saudi Arabia," said Pettinati.

"Even if you are not married, you will have no problem staying in a hotel. We will not ask men or women if they are married or not when booking a hotel. Women will be able to wear bikinis in the Red Sea," she added.