Riyadh Air partners with Colleges of Excellence to empower Saudi aviation talent

The establishment of Riyadh Air is viewed as a significant step by the Saudi Arabian government in its pursuit to transform into a tourism hub, in line with the economic diversification goals outlined in Vision 2030. File
Short Url
Updated 29 August 2023
Follow

Riyadh Air partners with Colleges of Excellence to empower Saudi aviation talent

RIYADH: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly established national carrier, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Colleges of Excellence to facilitate the training and skill enhancement of local Saudi professionals in the aviation industry, according to a press statement. 

The MoU was signed by Riyadh Air’s CEO, Tony Douglas and Ayman Mustafa Al-Abdullah, CEO of CoE.  

Under the deal, both parties will work together to carry out a vocational training program for Saudi talents, including specialized courses for females pursuing careers in engineering and maintenance. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Colleges of Excellence to support the launch of the specialized aviation programs. By providing students with hands-on experience and specialized training, we aim to bridge the gap between education and industry requirements,” said Douglas. 

CoE, an institution established by the Vocational Training Corp. in Saudi Arabia, is entrusted with providing training services to nurture local talent. 

According to the MoU, specialized sessions will be given to students within the aviation sector, which also include the first training program for Saudi women in aircraft maintenance and engineering.  
Douglas added: “We are particularly excited about the opportunities this program will create for women in technical engineering and maintenance, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive aviation workforce.”  

The establishment of Riyadh Air is viewed as a significant step by the Saudi Arabian government in its pursuit to transform into a tourism hub, in line with the economic diversification goals outlined in Vision 2030. 

Scheduled to begin operations in 2025, Riyadh Air is planning to serve over 100 destinations by 2030.  
Earlier in June, during the Paris Air Show, Douglas told Arab News that Riyadh would be a full-service carrier, focusing on enhancing the guest experience with the current level of digitalization. 

“We’ll be the world’s first-ever true digital native. We will make sure that the way people usually interact with many things they do in life through their mobile phone or handheld device, that’s how they will be able to operate with Riyadh Air,” he explained. 


Bahri profit rises 12% to $647m in 2025 as oil shipping boosts earnings 

Updated 11 March 2026
Follow

Bahri profit rises 12% to $647m in 2025 as oil shipping boosts earnings 

RIYADH: The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia, also known as Bahri, posted a 12.07 percent increase in annual profit as stronger tanker earnings and higher global freight rates boosted results. 

Net profit attributable to shareholders reached SR2.43 billion ($647.46 million) in 2025, compared with SR2.17 billion a year earlier, according to a filing on Saudi Exchange. 

Revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, rose 9.12 percent to SR10.35 billion, compared with SR9.48 billion in 2024, while gross profit increased 14.71 percent to SR3.10 billion. 

Highlighting the main reason for the increase in net profit during the current year, the company said: “The increase in gross profit of Bahri Oil BU by SR755 million mainly due to improved operational performance and global shipping rates during the current year compared to the last year.”  

It added: “The increase in the company’s share of results of equity-accounted investees by SR134 million during the current year compared to the last year. 

However, the gains were partly offset by declines in other areas. Gross profit from the chemicals business unit fell by SR324 million, while the integrated logistics unit recorded a SR37 million decrease.  

The company’s operating profit climbed 4.67 percent year on year to SR2.73 billion, reflecting improved operational performance across several business units.  

Bahri said the increase in revenue was driven primarily by higher activity in multiple divisions, particularly its oil business unit, where revenue rose by SR1.26 billion due to increased operational activity and higher global shipping rates. 

The growth in revenue was partially offset by lower performance in other segments. 

Revenue from the chemicals business unit declined by SR396 million, while the dry bulk unit recorded a decrease of SR87 million compared with the previous year. 

Bahri also reported a SR138 million decline in other income, mainly due to lower capital gains from vessel sales.  

The company recorded SR216 million in gains from vessel sales in the previous year compared with SR6 million in the current year. Higher general and administrative expenses and increased finance costs also weighed on profitability. 

Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders reached SR2.38 billion, up 8.65 percent from SR2.19 billion in the previous year. 

 Total shareholders’ equity rose 12.07 percent to SR15.27 billion, compared with SR13.63 billion a year earlier, while earnings per share increased to SR2.63 from SR2.35. 

Separately, Bahri’s board of directors recommended the distribution of cash dividends totaling SR922.85 million for the 2025 fiscal year, equivalent to SR1 per share.  

The proposed dividend represents 10 percent of the share’s par value and will be distributed to shareholders owning 922.85 million eligible shares, subject to approval at the company’s upcoming general assembly meeting. The eligibility and distribution dates will be announced at a later stage.