Saudi Arabia’s flynas Signs Interline Partnership to Open up More Travel Choices via Dubai 

Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s flynas sign an expanded two-way interline partnership with plans to open up connections and more travel choices for flynas customers via Dubai. (SPA)
Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s flynas sign an expanded two-way interline partnership with plans to open up connections and more travel choices for flynas customers via Dubai. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s flynas Signs Interline Partnership to Open up More Travel Choices via Dubai 

Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s flynas sign an expanded two-way interline partnership with plans to open up connections and more travel choices for flynas customers via Dubai. (SPA)
Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s flynas sign an expanded two-way interline partnership with plans to open up connections and more travel choices for flynas customers via Dubai. (SPA)

Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s flynas signed on Tuesday an expanded two-way interline partnership on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), with plans to open up connections and more travel choices for flynas customers via Dubai.

The agreement was signed by Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim and flynas Group CEO & Managing Director Bander Almohanna.

Emirates’ current interline with flynas provides its customers with enhanced connectivity via its four gateways: Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam, to over 15 domestic points in Saudi Arabia. It also includes the convenience of single ticket itineraries with onwards booking and baggage transfers.

With the expansion of the interline to a bilateral arrangement, flynas customers can connect across any of Emirates’ gateways in the Kingdom to a select roster of onward destinations on the airline’s network in the Far East, West Asia & Indian Ocean and Europe, via Dubai.

“We are quite pleased to offer more choices to our customers through Emirates' wide network. Once the expanded interline partnership is activated, customers will be able to book their travel on the flynas website, through online travel agencies as well as with local travel agents,” said Almohanna.

For his part, Kazim said: “The existing flynas links provide our customers with an array of possibilities to travel smoothly across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular to business hubs and emerging leisure and cultural destinations.”

“Connecting our networks solidifies our commitment to offering travelers in Saudi Arabia access to even more destinations and helping them benefit from unique travel options. The expansion of our interline agreement demonstrates our commitment to Saudi Arabia, and this is only the beginning,” he added.

“We look forward to exploring more opportunities to widen the scope of our partnership in the future.”

Attending the signing were Emirates Airline & Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, flynas Chairman Ayed Al Jeaid, and other senior representatives from both airlines.



Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
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Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)

The third edition of the “Mirkaz ABalad AlAmeen”, a leading platform for exchanging opportunities in Makkah, will kick off on Sunday, under the theme “Makkah Inspires the World.”

The platform, organized by the Holy Makkah Municipality, will feature 15 exceptional Ramadan evenings focused on dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector engagement.

Makkah Mayor Musad Aldaood said the platform redefines development from Makkah, where faith meets inspiration and values are transformed into a comprehensive civilizational experience.

He noted that the initiative reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and showcases Makkah to the world as a living model of creativity, leadership, and innovation.

The upcoming edition will host more than 65 speakers, including executive leaders and decision-makers from across all three sectors, alongside futurists, entrepreneurs, and leading voices in culture and inspiration from artists, writers, media professionals, and innovators.

The program targets 12 key sectors: technology and digital transformation, financial investment, communications and media, real estate development, transport and logistics, banking services, youth and sports, tourism and culture, hospitality and catering, Hajj and Umrah, the third sector, and healthcare.


Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) granted on Thursday a unified license to international shipping line Global Shipping Line (PIL), officially recognizing it as an authorized foreign investor to operate maritime agencies in the Kingdom's ports, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The license is issued in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Maritime Agency Services, reflecting Mawani's commitment to boosting the efficiency of the maritime sector and improving the quality of operational services provided at ports.

It aims to attract global expertise and facilitate knowledge transfer within the Kingdom, aligning with international best practices in the maritime transport industry.

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector.

PIL, which operates from its regional headquarters in Riyadh, manages operations in 29 countries.

The move strengthens the Kingdom's position as a crucial logistics hub, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, while attracting more international shipping lines. It reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a key link among three continents.


IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
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IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo

Lebanon's economy has shown resilience despite conflicts in the region, with tourism fueling a bit of a rebound, but restoring growth will require comprehensive reforms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said the global lender remains engaged in complex discussions with Lebanese ‌authorities following their ‌request for an IMF-supported ‌program ⁠in March 2025. The ⁠IMF sent a staff mission to Beirut earlier this month, said Reuters.

The talks have been focused on two big issues, she said, citing the need for banking sector restructuring and a medium-term fiscal ⁠strategy. "The economy has shown resilience ‌despite the impact ‌of conflicts in the region. It has had ‌a bit of a rebound ‌on the back of tourism from the strong diaspora," Kozack said.

"But at the same time, really restoring strong and sustainable growth will ‌require a comprehensive set of reforms to tackle some of the ⁠structural ⁠weaknesses that have really hampered Lebanon's economic performance for many years," she said. Reforms also are needed to attract international support to help Lebanon address its substantial reconstruction needs.

Kozack said Lebanon needs an updated medium-term fiscal framework that includes concrete measures to mobilize additional revenues for much-needed capital spending, as well as a sovereign debt restructuring to restore debt sustainability.