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

Jazeera Paints Sponsors Aseer Draws Art Initiative in Abha
Jazeera Paints sponsored the Aseer Draws event in Abha, where over 1,000 artists created a collaborative portrait of the Crown Prince.

Air Cargo AI: How Human Expertise Shapes the Automated Workplace
Logistics companies are integrating AI systems to manage volatile schedules and capacity shifts while preserving essential human decision-making.

IATA Launches Safety Training Workshops Under Focus Africa Initiative
The International Air Transport Association has launched monthly safety training workshops under the Focus Africa initiative to improve regional aviation safety.

Saadia Zahidi Appointed as First Female IATA Director General
Saadia Zahidi has been appointed as the ninth Director General of IATA, becoming the first woman to lead the global airline association starting November 2026.

AlUla App Launched by Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla has launched its new digital platform to centralize municipal services, tourism information, and investment opportunities.

Hassan Allam Joint Venture Signs SAR 2.7 Billion Waldorf Astoria Project in Diriyah
Hassan Allam Construction Saudi and UCC Saudi have signed a SAR 2.7 billion contract to build the Waldorf Astoria super block in Diriyah.

Riyadh Air Hafawa Lounge Completed at King Khalid International Airport
ACCIONA Cultura has completed the 2,000-square-meter Hafawa Lounge for Riyadh Air at King Khalid International Airport, designed to meet LEED Gold standards.

Turkish Airlines Orders 12 HAVELSAN Flight Simulators
Turkish Airlines has signed an agreement with HAVELSAN to acquire 12 new flight simulation training devices, supporting its fleet expansion goals.

Bell Textron Completes 700th Bell 505 Delivery at Farnborough
Bell Textron has delivered its 700th Bell 505 helicopter to a private VIP operator during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026.

Honda Racing Saudi Arabia Secures Podium Finishes in Championship Opening Rounds
Honda Racing Saudi Arabia secured multiple second-place finishes during the opening rounds of the 2026 championship in Taif.

Ezdehar Allaf Appointed as First Female Managing Director in Tawafa Sector
Ezdehar bint Ahmed Khalil Allaf has been appointed as the Managing Director of Ashraqat, becoming the first Saudi woman to hold this leadership role in the Tawafa sector.

EXEED Riyadh Fan Zone Launches at Laysen Valley
Arabian Heritage Motors has launched the EXEED Riyadh Fan Zone at Laysen Valley, welcoming nearly 500 guests to a premium football viewing experience.

Survey Shows 86% of Saudi AI Travel Users Concerned About Data Security
A new survey reveals that 86% of Saudi AI travel users worry about data security, highlighting privacy concerns as digital travel planning tools grow in popularity.

Dream of the Desert Establishes Riyadh Headquarters and Appoints General Manager
Dream of the Desert has opened its permanent Riyadh headquarters and appointed Raffaele Breschi as General Manager, marking its transition into the delivery phase.

SAL SF Airlines Agreement Signed for Saudi Cargo Services
SAL Logistics Services has signed a strategic agreement with China’s SF Airlines to provide integrated ground handling and air cargo services in Saudi Arabia.

SAL and flyadeal Sign MoU for National Talent Training Programs
SAL Logistics Services and flyadeal signed an MoU to develop national talent through specialized training programs via SAL Academy, supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

AI Travel Planning Risks in KSA
A new Kaspersky survey reveals that 75% of Saudi travelers using AI tools for trip planning have data security concerns, despite appreciating the time-saving benefits.

Saudi Cabinet Approves Unified Visa Platform for Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Saudi Cabinet has approved 12 new decisions, including the establishment of a unified visa platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve digital services.

Pakistan Airports Authority Partners with WALEE Al-Nazawy to Launch Premium Airport Service
The Pakistan Airports Authority has partnered with WALEE Al-Nazawy to launch Khushaamdeed, the country’s first premium airport Meet & Assist service.

Saudia Wins Three Awards at Cannes Lions 2026 for Travel and Pilgrim Initiatives
Saudia secured three awards at the Cannes Lions 2026 for its Let It Fly campaign and Coolest Ihram innovation.

Skyscanner Launches New AI-Powered Travel Tools for Summer Planning
Skyscanner has introduced several experimental AI-powered features, including a road trip planner and expanded accommodation listings, to simplify summer travel planning.

Checkout.com Partners with Agoda to Power Global Travel Transactions
Checkout.com has partnered with Agoda to support digital payment processing across more than six million properties globally.
