Etisalat Group has reiterated its commitment to Mobily and the Saudi market and expressed confidence that Mobily would return to a growth path again soon.
Mobily is one of the most successful companies in the region, stressed an Etisalat statement received here.
It said the company has strong foundations and possesses great innovative capabilities and a talented team.
The statement came after Mobily’s board announced its decision to suspend Khalid Omar Al-Kaf, managing director and CEO, until the audit committee completes its task of reviewing what led to the restatement of the Q3, 2014, financial results and submits its report to the board of directors.
Etisalat Group said it is closely following the issues related to the restatement of the Q3, 2014, financial results, according to a press released received here.
It said Etisalat supports the steps taken by Mobily’s board of directors and audit committee as they seek to identify the causes that led to the restatement.
“In line with the highest standards of corporate governance, Etisalat believes that in such cases, it is in the best interests of all shareholders and stakeholders, and in the best interests of Saudi Arabia that the board should commission an independent investigation to be conducted to identify exactly what happened and why and that the independent investigation should be thorough and should proceed unhindered,” added the release.
Etisalat will also support the Mobily board’s taking corrective action, wherever and whenever appropriate, to avoid this from happening again, said the statement.
Etisalat said its actions in this matter have been and will continue to be guided by the best interests of Mobily and its shareholders.
Etisalat Group will continue to support Mobily through this process, said the release.
It said the recent appointment of Serkan Okandan as the deputy CEO of Mobily, while proving Etisalat’s commitment to Mobily and the Saudi market, also shows Etisalat’s commitment to a smooth continuation of Mobily’s business.
Etisalat ‘committed to Saudi market’
Etisalat ‘committed to Saudi market’
Cruise Saudi strengthens global ties as Celestyal makes maiden calls to Jeddah
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating its push to become a global cruise hub, with Cruise Saudi — a wholly owned Public Investment Fund subsidiary — expanding international partnerships to draw more travelers to the Kingdom’s Red Sea and Arabian Gulf ports.
The latest milestone came as award-winning Greek cruise line Celestyal completed its first-ever calls to Jeddah, signaling rising global interest in Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions.
The visits form part of Cruise Saudi’s strategy to build a year-round cruise ecosystem that supports tourism growth, boosts local supply chains, and contributes to the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification.
Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — AlUla, Jeddah Historic District, and Al-Ahsa Oasis — are now accessible by sea, with curated shore excursions designed to deepen visitor engagement.
Cruise Saudi aims to welcome 1.3 million cruise passengers annually by 2035, creating 50,000 direct and indirect jobs and positioning the Kingdom as a premier international cruise destination.
The 1,360-passenger Celestyal Discovery arrived in Jeddah on Dec. 5, following the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey, which made its maiden call on Nov. 29. The Journey concluded a seven-night Athens–Jeddah itinerary with stops in Turkiye and Egypt, marked by a traditional plaque exchange ceremony attended by Cruise Saudi executives, port officials and Celestyal representatives.
Passengers were welcomed with traditional Saudi hospitality and toured Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, bustling souks, and cultural sites. Some Muslim travelers also visited Makkah to perform Umrah.
“We are honored to celebrate our maiden call in Jeddah alongside our partners at Cruise Saudi, marking the beginning of a long and effective relationship,” said Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal.
He added that Jeddah’s role as “the cultural heart of Saudi Arabia” presents strong potential for cruise tourism.
Barbara Buczek, chief destination experiences officer at Cruise Saudi, told Arab News: “This maiden Red Sea sailing highlights the strong appeal of the region and aligns with Cruise Saudi's commitment to developing seamless, high-quality cruise experiences in Saudi Arabia.”
She noted that Celestyal’s expanded itineraries reflect rising demand for distinctive Red Sea and Arabian Gulf voyages.
Since its launch in 2021, Cruise Saudi has activated five cruise ports, introduced Aroya Cruises, the Kingdom’s first homegrown cruise line, and established Aman at Sea, an ultra-luxury JV with Aman Group set to launch in 2027. The company manages the full value chain — from terminals and berths to curated excursions — and has already welcomed more than 600,000 passengers of over 120 nationalities.
Celestyal, which carries more than 140,000 passengers annually across two refurbished vessels, is aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambition to transform coastal tourism. After departing Jeddah, both Celestyal ships continued to Abu Dhabi to begin the company’s second Arabian Gulf season.
Aroya Cruises has also launched a new seasonal program featuring stops in Mykonos, Athens, Crete, and coastal cities in Turkiye, expanding on a successful inaugural season that attracted over 95,000 guests.
The growing activity underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a world-class cruise destination, supported by modern infrastructure, expanding routes, and experiences that highlight the Kingdom’s culture, heritage and hospitality.
