Tourism & Aviation
Tourism and aviation news — covering travel technology, airline updates, Saudi tourism developments, and hospitality innovations in the Kingdom and the region.

WAISL’s AeroWise: A Digital Twin-Powered Integrated Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC), showcased at Airport Show 2025, Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 8, 2025: WAISL’s AeroWise is operational and live at Hyderabad International Airport, showcasing real-world implementation of next-gen airport operations and firmly establishing itself as a leader in digital aviation solutions. AeroWise is the first end-to-end, fully integrated digital twin-powered APOC, covering the Terminal, Airside, and Landside while integrating with over 40 […]

Building a Unified Sky: How Saudi Arabia is Driving Aviation Growth Across the Middle East
Nick Careen, SVP of Operations at IATA, delivered a keynote at Aviation Day MENA highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rapid aviation expansion under Vision 2030. He emphasized the Kingdom’s strategic efforts in infrastructure, digital transformation, and global connectivity, while calling for regional collaboration to overcome regulatory, economic, and geopolitical challenges.

Saudia Partners with Adeera to Boost Benefits of AlFursan Loyalty Program
Further elevating the airline’s loyalty offerings Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has signed a strategic partnership with Adeera, the newly launched PIF hospitality management company, during the Arabian Travel Market 2025. Signed by Arved von zur Muehlen, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia, and Ahmed Alomair, Chief Brands Officer, this collaboration […]

Air Cargo Demand Grows 4.4% in March
29 April 2025 (Geneva) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March 2025 global air cargo markets showing: “March cargo volumes were strong. It is possible that this is partly a front-loading of demand as some businesses tried to beat the well-telegraphed 2 April tariff announcement by the Trump Administration. The uncertainty […]

NEXT IN SUMMIT: “MUSEUMS ARE DYNAMIC INSTITUTIONS WITH VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE”
GLOBAL FORUM This summit, organized by ACCIONA Living & Culture, featured key voices from the Middle East, including Arwa Al Ali (Ministry of Culture & Diriyah Biennale Foundation), Noura Al-Maashouq (SAMOCA), Hamad Alhomiedan (Royal Commission for AlUla), and Sean Gaffaney (Ilmi, Misk Foundation), who shared Saudi Arabia’s bold cultural vision with the global stage. RIYADH, […]

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Participates in Expo 2025 Osaka
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 17, 2025: The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has announced its participation in Expo 2025 Osaka as part of the Saudi Pavilion, taking place in Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025. CDF’s presence at the Expo underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the cultural sector and strengthening its role […]

Amadeus and Omeir Travel Agency’s extended collaboration to innovate and personalize traveler experiences
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, has announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with Omeir Travel Agency, aimed at fostering growth through productivity and advancing seamless travel solutions. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to providing smart, personalized travel experiences, transforming how we travel over the next few years. With […]

IATA Aviation Day MENA to Focus on Collaboration, Innovation and Harmonization
9 April 2025 (Amman) — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that IATA Aviation Day Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will focus on digitalization, airspace management, sustainability, modern airline retailing and future skills. The event will take place in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 6-7 May 2025, hosted by Saudia. “Aviation is […]

Emirates launches Emirates Courier Express, promising to treat packages like passengers
Dubai, UAE, April 2, 2025 – Backed by almost four decades’ experience in keeping goods and people moving all over the world, Emirates has launched Emirates Courier Express, an end-to-end delivery solution that is set to redefine the express delivery experience. To ensure Emirates Courier Express addressed industry-wide challenges, Emirates worked with various global customers to pilot […]

Protect satellite navigation from interference, UN agencies urge
Aviation, maritime and telecoms agencies raise alarm over increase in jamming and spoofing of satellite navigation systems Geneva, 25 March 2025 – Increasing incidents of interference with aviation, maritime and other satellite telecommunications services mean states must urgently enhance the protection of a critical radio-frequency band, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) […]
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Wego Unveils Where Saudi Residents Are Heading This Eid 2025
15.57% Surge in Domestic Travel: How Saudis Are Spending Eid 2025 As Eid al-Fitr 2025 approaches, Saudi travelers are preparing for an extended holiday period, leading to a notable increase in travel activity. Public sector employees will enjoy a holiday from Sunday, March 30, to Saturday, April 5, while the private sector will generally have […]

AIM Congress 2025 Showcases the Future of Mobility within the Future Cities Portfolio with PAL-V, the World’s First FlyDrive Vehicle
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 21 March 2025: AIM Congress 2025, in its 14th edition, will highlight the latest global innovations in the mobility sector under the Future Cities Portfolio, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore the future of advanced transportation. Among this year’s most prominent participants is PAL-V, showcasing the PAL-V Liberty, the […]

Emirates NBD partners with VFS Global to empower consumers with exclusive benefits and services
Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) region, has signed a partnership agreement with VFS Global — the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist — to offer consumers across the Kingdom access to exclusive benefits. The agreement was signed by Ghassan Najmeddin, Head of Retail […]

PIF launches Al Waha, first Saudi-owned duty-free retailer
PIF today announced the establishment of Al Waha Duty-Free Company (Al Waha), a travel retailer and the first Saudi-owned duty-free operator. Al Waha, a wholly owned PIF company, will become a leader in travel retail and secure a greater share of passenger spending for the Saudi economy. Al Waha will develop luxury retail outlets in […]

Riyadh Air and IBM to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences
RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Feb 25, 2025 IBM (NYSE: IBM), — Today, IBM announced a new agreement with Riyadh Air, which will integrate watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of AI products, and IBM Consulting AI solutions to establish an enterprise-wide AI capability to elevate Riyadh Air guest and employee experiences. As Riyadh Air prepares for its inaugural flights in […]

International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) inducts Discover Saudi into its fold in a boost to the Kingdom’s MICE sector
As the first fully integrated destination management company in KSA to become part of ICCA, Discover Saudi will collaborate with ICCA to amplify Saudi Arabia as a destination of choice for meetings and events Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; February 20, 2025: Discover Saudi, the leading destination management company in Saudi Arabia (part of Almosafer), has been appointed the first […]

12th Arab Aviation Summit Concludes in Riyadh, Driving Regional Growth and Industry Innovation
Two-day summit was held under the theme, “Uniting Leaders, Building Tomorrow: Advancing Global Aviation” Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; February 18, 2025: The 12th edition of the Arab Aviation Summit (AAS), the region’s leading aviation and tourism industry event, concluded today in Riyadh. Under the theme “Uniting Leaders, Building Tomorrow: Advancing Global Aviation,” the summit brought together over […]

Eats & Beats 2025 Returns for a Second Edition at VIA Riyadh
An Evening of Culinary Delights and Vibrant Beats Awaits on Thursday, February 20th [Riyadh] – February 18th – Back by popular demand, Eats & Beats 2025 by Cool Inc. is set to transform VIA Riyadh into a hub of flavor and rhythm on Thursday, February 20th. Following the success of its first edition, this immersive event […]

KSIADC and Huawei Join Forces to Revolutionize Smart Aviation in KSA
Collaboration to drive innovation in AI, 5G-A, and smart airport technologies, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 13, 2025 – The King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) and Huawei have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during LEAP 2025 to drive innovation and digital transformation in the aviation sector. This […]

Baheej Tourism Development Company Breaks Ground on Multi-Waterfront Destinations in Yanbu
Witnessed by HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan Al Saud, Governor of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Province Yanbu, Jan. 27, 2025 – Witnessed by HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan Al Saud, Governor of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Province, Baheej Tourism Development Company, a joint venture between ASFAR, the Saudi Tourism Investment Company, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, and the Tamimi-AWN […]

Ministry of Hajj & Umrah and Zain KSA Sign MoU to Scale-up Digital Experiences
Supporting the Pilgrim Experience Program targets Zain KSA, a leading provider of telecoms and digital services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This partnership aims to enhance visitors’ experiences and contribute to the Pilgrim Experience Program, which serves pilgrims from more than 120 countries worldwide through the single […]

Matternet Receives Approval to Operate M2 Drone in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The General Authority of Civil Aviation determined that the M2 Drone’s FAA Type Certification met airworthiness standards Matternet expects Type Certification to be recognized by additional countries throughout the Middle East MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Matternet, the developer of the world’s leading urban drone delivery system, today announced that the company has been approved by […]
