Aviation leaders and industry experts are set to flock to Riyadh for the Saudi Airport Exhibition, which coincides with the Future Airport Development Summit in November.
Saudi Arabia has earmarked $147 billion to enhance its airport facilities to serve 330 million air travellers by 2030, expand its transport sector and boost plans to launch a new national airline alongside the established Saudia, Flynas and Flyadeal.
The exhibition will be held at Al Faisaliah Hotel from November 7-8. Industry experts will get together to explore the potential of the kingdom, which has witnessed vast growth with new tourism policies in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia this year announced the privatisation of its airports' ownership, with 29 hubs currently being prepared for the process. Plans for a new international airport in Riyadh are afoot, while the Harmonising Air Travel policy is expected to generate around $100bn in aviation investment.
Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s largest aviation market and is where the fastest passenger traffic growth in the Middle East is expected, until 2040 at the earliest.
The National Aviation Sector Strategy aims to increase travel routes to 250 destinations, cater to 330 million passengers and double air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tonnes.
The travel sector aims to generate 280 billion riyals ($75bn) for Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product by 2030.
Daksha Patel is event director at Niche Ideas, the company which is organising the event. She said: “Saudi Airport Exhibition will provide the ideal platform for Saudi airports and stakeholders to meek global industry suppliers and experts to fulfil the kingdom’s ambitious aviation expansion programmes."
Saudi Arabia boosts tourism credentials
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Hegra After Dark. Photo: RCU Commission -
Hegra After Dark launched in November as a new way to experience AlUla. Photo: RCU Commission -
Saudi Arabian airline flynas launched direct flights from Dubai to AlUla in 2021. Photo: Wikimedia Commons -
The new Habitas Al Ula. Photo: Habitas Al Ula -
Habitas adds 96 much-needed rooms to AlUla's inventory. Photo: Habitas Al Ula -
Luxury eco resort Habitas sits in an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley. Photo: Habitas Al Ula -
Habitas Al Ula. Photo: Habitas Al Ula -
A rendering of The St Regis Riyadh, which is due to open in 2022. Photo: Marriott International -
Jason Atherton opened a restaurant in the Maraya Hall. Photo: Maraya Social -
Maraya Social by Jason Atherton. Photo: Maraya Social -
Jeddah Central Project will involve the development of 5.7 million square metres of land overlooking the Red Sea. Photos: Jeddah Central Project -
A sports stadium will act as one of Jeddah Central Project's anchors. Photo: Jeddah Central Project -
The development's beach and promenade. Photo: Jeddah Central Project -
Saudi actress Fay Fouad walks the red carpet for the closing ceremony of the first Red Sea Film Festival. AFP -
Red Sea Film Festival chairman Mohamed Turki poses with British model Naomi Campbell at the event's closing ceremony. AFP -
Zahrah Al Ghamdi, 'Birth of a Place', 2021. This was one of dozens of works by 63 artists on show in Riyadh as part of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. Photo: Diriyah Foundation -
The first Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is on until March 2022. Photo: Diriyah Foundation
She said Saudi Arabia was one the most exciting aviation markets in the world, given its focus on sustainability, passenger experience, international collaboration and the number of new aviation jobs it will create.
The event will host more than 100 leading global participants with expertise in airport operations, infrastructure, air traffic control, ground handling, security, retail and investment, from more than 20 countries.
Saudi Arabia this month approved a law to boost the development of the tourism sector in the Arab world’s largest economy, attract more investment and increase visitor numbers.
The new tourism law will “drive business and investment, support innovation and attract tourists, in line with international best practices”, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said.
