RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s automotive companies will soon be able to expand their reach to global markets with the support from various initiatives taken by the local authorities, said a top government official.
Speaking at the Auto Connect Forum in King Abdullah Economic City, National Industrial Development Center CEO Khalil Ibn Salamah said the Saudi Export Development Authority is working on plans to export Saudi-manufactured cars.
This move aligns with the Kingdom’s policy of developing new industries that attract international investments and create jobs for local talent while empowering the private sector.
He said the government is taking measures to help the local auto sector cater to the domestic demand but also to export their products to the regional and global markets.
Speaking about the forum, Saleh Al-Khabti, deputy minister of investment transactions, said it opened the door for several opportunities within the sector.
“Auto Connect Forum is not merely an event. It’s a platform that exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and partnership. Today, we gather to discuss the investment opportunities that foster collaboration,” Al-Khabti clarified.
During the event — touted as the first of its kind — the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authorities showcased how special economic zones accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles by providing a supportive environment and implementing advantageous policies.
The two-day exhibition will include many workshops and the organization of an accompanying conference that includes dialogue sessions on the future of the industry and promising opportunities in manufacturing automotive components.
Moreover, the conference, expected to attract more than 300 foreign and local companies in multiple sectors, seeks to back the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aiming to establish an advanced industrial base and further propelling the automobile sector.
Saudi authorities to support local automotive firms expand globally
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Saudi authorities to support local automotive firms expand globally
Saudia secures 2nd place worldwide for punctual flights in 2025
JEDDAH: Saudi airline Saudia ranked second globally in on-time arrival performance for 2025, according to independent aviation analytics provider Cirium.
The Kingdom’s national flag carrier posted an on-time arrival rate of 86.53 percent across 202,864 flights operated throughout its network, which covers more than 100 destinations across four continents, just behind Mexico’s Aeromexico, which led the ranking with 90.02 percent punctuality on 188,859 flights.
Scandinavian Airlines, the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, was placed third with Brazil’s Azul coming fourth, recording 86.09 percent and 85.18 percent on-time arrivals, respectively.
The ranking is testament to the strength of the Kingdom’s national tourism strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product from 6 percent to 10 percent.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group, said: “This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our teams across planning, operations, and flight management.”
He added that operational efficiency remains a core pillar of Saudia’s strategic plan and is directly linked to the guest experience, with time being a critical element at every stage of the journey.
“Our ability to deliver on this is enabled by strong integration among Saudia Group companies, alongside close coordination with key partners in the Kingdom’s aviation sector,” he said.
In 2024, Saudia topped the list of global airlines in departure on-time performance with a punctuality rate of 88.82 percent, according to new data from Cirium. It also ranked second globally in on-time arrival performance, achieving a rate of 86.35 percent.
Saudia is set for a major fleet expansion, with 116 new aircraft scheduled to join its current fleet of 149. This growth will enable higher flight frequencies, increased seating capacity on existing routes, and the launch of new international destinations.
