Emirates to add fourth daily flight to Riyadh

The fourth daily flight will be serviced by the Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration.
Updated 28 August 2018
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Emirates to add fourth daily flight to Riyadh

Emirates will boost its services to Riyadh with the addition of a fourth daily flight to the Saudi capital from Sept. 1. The addition of the fourth daily service will take the total number of weekly Emirates flights serving Riyadh to 28. 

Adil Al-Ghaith, senior vice president commercial operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran, said: “Emirates’ expanded schedule to Riyadh will offer more travel options and choice for business travelers and families alike who are looking to visit Dubai. There are strong passenger flows between Riyadh and Dubai so enhancing our services makes business sense, and further underscores Riyadh’s importance within our global network.”

The fourth daily flight will be serviced by the Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration. Emirates flight EK813 will depart Dubai at 3 p.m. arriving in Riyadh at 3:50 p.m. The return flight, EK814 will depart Riyadh at 5:50 p.m. and will arrive in Dubai at 8:40 p.m. The late afternoon departure offers an additional option for travelers, complementing the existing morning and evening flights.

Dubai’s attractiveness as a destination for Saudi travelers continues to be strong and in 2017 more than 1.5 million Saudis visited the city, according to data published by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). Dubai offers an extensive array of leisure and family activities catering to every taste, in addition to hotels for all budgets. 

As a commercial and business hub, Dubai has become a platform for a myriad of businesses seeking exposure in emerging markets, and is also a springboard for investments coming into the region. Saudi Arabia is the UAE’s largest trading partner in the region, with non-oil trade reaching an estimated 88 billion dirhams ($24 billion) in 2017, according to UAE Federal Customs Authority data. 


Saudi Arabia world’s safest and most attractive investment destination, says chairman of Sumou Holding

Updated 09 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia world’s safest and most attractive investment destination, says chairman of Sumou Holding

Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the world’s safest and most attractive destinations for investment, supported by the strength and resilience of its economy, according to Ayed bin Farhan Al-Qahtani, chairman of Sumou Holding.

Al-Qahtani said the Kingdom’s economy has consistently demonstrated its ability to navigate global and regional crises. He noted that Saudi Arabia has historically adapted to challenging conditions and emerged stronger, thanks to prudent economic policies and effective governance, both of which have reinforced the market’s financial strength. Al-Qahtani added that Saudi Vision 2030 has reshaped the structure of the national economy by diversifying income sources and leveraging the country’s core strengths, creating a more flexible and sustainable economic environment capable of withstanding global volatility.

According to Al-Qahtani, business activity across Saudi Arabia continues to operate normally despite current global uncertainties, highlighting the adaptability and experience of Saudi companies across multiple sectors.

Sumou Holding currently manages an investment portfolio valued at about $10 billion. Al-Qahtani said that the group plans to expand its investments in the Kingdom while seeking to attract additional foreign capital through international partnerships and joint ventures.

The company is evaluating a range of new opportunities across key sectors and particularly in real estate, which Al-Qahtani described as one of the most secure and attractive investment sectors in the Saudi market amid rising demand for residential, commercial, and development projects.

Saudi Arabia’s property market has also undergone significant regulatory reforms aimed at boosting its appeal to international investors. A new foreign property ownership law, which came into effect in early 2026, allows non-Saudis — individuals and companies, residents and non-residents — to own residential, commercial, and agricultural properties across designated areas of the Kingdom.

The framework will increase capital inflows into the real estate sector while introducing specific ownership rules for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, two markets Al-Qahtani said remain among the most secure and globally attractive for long-term investment.

Sumou Holding owns two companies listed on the Saudi Exchange: Sumou Real Estate Co. and Ader Real Estate Co.

Al-Qahtani added that the group’s international arm, Ader Global, is building partnerships with global investors and directing capital toward promising opportunities in the Saudi market, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a regional hub for investment and multinational companies.

With its strong regulatory framework, investment security, and continued government support for the private sector, Saudi Arabia is well positioned to attract further foreign capital in the coming years, Al-Qahtani said, cementing the country’s status as a leading global investment destination both today and in the future.