SAUDIA Becomes 1st Airline to Fly to Red Sea International Airport

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA
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SAUDIA Becomes 1st Airline to Fly to Red Sea International Airport

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. This accomplishment has been made possible through a memorandum of understanding signed between the Red Sea International (RSI), SAUDIA, and daa International, the operator of Red Sea International Airport.

According to John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, the development of Red Sea International Airport is progressing steadily, and it is expected to be launched this year alongside three resorts. Initially, the airport will cater to domestic flights from and to Riyadh and subsequently expand to include flights from Jeddah. By 2024, the airport aims to handle international flights as well.

Pagano further explained that SAUDIA, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, will begin regular operations from and to Red Sea International Airport based on the memorandum of understanding.

The agreement also lays the foundation for collaborative research on the utilization of Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the airport. This demonstrates a shared commitment towards reducing carbon emissions in the aviation industry.

In addition, the memorandum entails the evaluation of the implementation of electric vertical take-off and landing jets (eVTOL) as a means to further reduce emissions from air travel in the Red Sea region.

The landmark agreement between SAUDIA, Red Sea International, and daa International paves the way for sustainable aviation practices and is a sign on the progressive approach taken by all parties towards environmental preservation in the aviation sector.



Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as investors weighed firm winter fuel demand expectations against large US fuel inventories and macroeconomic concerns.

Brent crude futures were down 3 cents at $76.13 a barrel by 1003 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipped 10 cents to $73.22.

Both benchmarks fell more than 1% on Wednesday as a stronger dollar and a bigger than expected rise in US fuel stockpiles pressured prices.

"The oil market is still grappling with opposite forces - seasonal demand to support the bulls and macro data that supports a stronger US dollar in the medium term ... that can put a ceiling to prevent the bulls from advancing further," said OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong.

JPMorgan analysts expect oil demand for January to expand by 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) year on year to 101.4 million bpd, primarily driven by increased use of heating fuels in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Global oil demand is expected to remain strong throughout January, fuelled by colder than normal winter conditions that are boosting heating fuel consumption, as well as an earlier onset of travel activities in China for the Lunar New Year holidays," the analysts said.

The market structure in Brent futures is also indicating that traders are becoming more concerned about supply tightening at the same time demand is increasing.

The premium of the front-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August on Wednesday. A widening of this backwardation, when futures for prompt delivery are higher than for later delivery, typically indicates that supply is declining or demand is increasing.

Nevertheless, official Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed rising gasoline and distillates stockpiles in the United States last week.

The dollar strengthened further on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's entrance into the White House on Jan. 20.

Looking ahead, WTI crude oil is expected to oscillate within a range of $67.55 to $77.95 into February as the market awaits more clarity on Trump's administration policies and fresh fiscal stimulus measures out of China, OANDA's Wong said.