Saudia and Riyadh Air sign deal to link loyalty schemes and seat booking options

The MoU, the first of its kind between the two companies, also encompasses a detailed interline and codeshare framework. Riyadh Air.
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Updated 14 November 2023
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Saudia and Riyadh Air sign deal to link loyalty schemes and seat booking options

RIYADH: Passengers using Saudia and Riyadh Air will benefit from shared loyalty points and synced-up booking arrangements thanks to a new agreement by the Kingdom’s airlines.

A Memorandum of Understanding reached by the firms includes the provision to sell seats on each others flights as part of a new deal to unify their efforts to boost the aviation sector.

The MoU, the first of its kind between the two companies, also encompasses a detailed interline and codeshare framework, enabling seamless passenger connections across sectors serviced by the carriers.

The agreement also extends to loyalty programs, with members from both airlines set to enjoy the ability to earn and redeem points or credits when utilizing the codeshare services.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Riyadh Air and look forward to seeing another Saudi carrier supporting the national aviation strategy and Kingdom’s objectives in tourism,” Saudia CEO Ibrahim Koshy said.

“This is a historic moment in where we join forces to serve guests traveling from and to the Kingdom. Saudia and Riyadh Air will positively disrupt the industry as a whole and so we are proud to sign this MoU that signifies our partnership intent,” Koshy added.

Furthermore, the agreement signifies a pivotal moment for the national companies, aiming to enhance cooperation and joint action in pursuit of the Kingdom’s aspirations on various fronts, particularly in aviation, according to the press note.

Under the agreement, Saudi Airlines and Riyadh Air will offer their guests a diverse range of services and the convenience of codeshare flights and tracking options.

This strategic move is set to enhance the travel experience across the sectors managed by each carrier, fostering an environment of distinctive service quality.

“The MoU signing of this strategic collaboration shows a solid statement of intent from both airlines. Riyadh Air and Saudia will play a significant part in the growth of travel tourism within the Kingdom and so having the national carriers working side-by-side is the best way to accelerate and manage this growth,” Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said.

“We are confident that Riyadh Air will raise the bar in air travel and working in cooperation with Saudia will help us achieve this as we prepare for takeoff in 2025,” Douglas added.

The MoU promises to lay the groundwork for future bilateral initiatives and agreements, extending beyond flight operations to encompass a suite of benefits for travelers within and outside the region.

A broader loyalty framework is also anticipated, providing further elite-level benefits across the airline’s extensive global networks.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.