Customers flying from Jeddah with British Airways (BA) can now relax on board the airline’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft complete with new generation first class cabins. British Airways’ 787-9 aircraft touched down at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah for the first time on Thursday morning.
For customers looking to fly on board BA’s 787-9 from Jeddah, return fares to London are available starting from SR2,435.
The 787-9 is now a mainstay of the expansive BA fleet following the launch of the aircraft on the Delhi route in October 2015.
The UK airline started flying the Dreamliner on two Middle Eastern routes, Abu Dhabi and Muscat, in November last year, which was shortly followed by Kuala Lumpur in December and the Texan city of Austin in February and San Jose, California, in May.
The 787-9 is 20 ft longer than its 787-8 predecessor (of which the airline has eight), so as well as offering World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class), there’s also room for a new First class cabin — a first for the airline’s 787 fleet.
Paolo De Renzis, head of MEA and Central Asia sales for BA, said: “British Airways has a long history of flying to the Kingdom going back to 1965 when we first launched flights to the city. Fast forward to today and our daily flight from Jeddah to London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is now a gateway for thousands of customers who want to explore London, Europe, North America and further afield.
“Our premium options have always received high demand on the Jeddah route. The Dreamliner is a new generation aircraft that is the perfect home for our luxurious new First cabin and the spacious seats and cabin environment offers even more exclusivity and privacy to our Saudi customers,” he added.
BA launches Dreamliner 787-9 with new first class cabins on Jeddah route
BA launches Dreamliner 787-9 with new first class cabins on Jeddah route
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
