flynas Named 4th-Best Low-Cost Airline in the World, Best LCC in Middle East

The Skytrax Awards are seen as the top prize of the aviation industry and the most important global standard for excellence among airlines worldwide - SPA.
The Skytrax Awards are seen as the top prize of the aviation industry and the most important global standard for excellence among airlines worldwide - SPA.
TT

flynas Named 4th-Best Low-Cost Airline in the World, Best LCC in Middle East

The Skytrax Awards are seen as the top prize of the aviation industry and the most important global standard for excellence among airlines worldwide - SPA.
The Skytrax Awards are seen as the top prize of the aviation industry and the most important global standard for excellence among airlines worldwide - SPA.

flynas, the Saudi low-cost air carrier, in 2024 was named the fourth-best low-cost airline in the world for the second year in a row, and it kept its position as the best low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive year, according to the International Skytrax Organization, the global reference for assessing airline performance.

The Skytrax Awards are seen as the top prize of the aviation industry and the most important global standard for excellence among airlines worldwide, according to SPA.
On this occasion, flynas chief executive Bander Almohanna said that receiving this award for the seventh year in a row demonstrates that flynas has competently succeeded in keeping the high quality of its services in parallel with its expansion and growth plan.

He added that the achievement is in line with the National Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting the Kingdom with 250 international destinations, reaching 330 million passengers, and attracting 100 million tourists annually by 2030.



Future Investment Initiative Conference Gathers Global Decision-Makers in Riyadh

One of the dialogue sessions of the Future Investment Initiative in its previous edition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the dialogue sessions of the Future Investment Initiative in its previous edition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Future Investment Initiative Conference Gathers Global Decision-Makers in Riyadh

One of the dialogue sessions of the Future Investment Initiative in its previous edition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the dialogue sessions of the Future Investment Initiative in its previous edition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Riyadh is set to launch the eighth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference on Monday.
This year’s event carries the theme, “Infinite Horizons... Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow” and will feature prominent figures in finance, investment, and technology.
Through its annual conference, often called the “Davos of the Desert,” the Future Investment Initiative aims to foster discussions on how investment can drive a prosperous and sustainable future, expanding the possibilities for humanity.
The conference is expected to attract over 7,000 guests and 500 speakers, covering a wide range of current topics across more than 200 sessions. Key areas of focus include economic stability, equitable development, climate change, artificial intelligence, innovation, health, and geopolitical issues.
Among those looking to leverage projects aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, and Larry Fink of BlackRock, which recently agreed to establish a multi-asset investment platform in Riyadh, backed by a $5 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. This year, the conference will also host the New Africa Summit, featuring speakers from Africa’s mining and banking sectors.
Reflecting Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on technology and artificial intelligence, industry leaders in these fields will participate in the event. Notably, Alphabet President Ruth Porat, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, and tech entrepreneur Benjamin Horowitz, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, are scheduled to speak for the first time.
According to Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative, executives worldwide are expected to announce deals exceeding $28 billion. Some of these initiatives will focus on artificial intelligence, including a new potential fund with Andreessen Horowitz that could grow to $40 billion, as reported by Bloomberg.
The Kingdom is also expected to announce a new company that will invest at least $10 billion in making Saudi Arabia the world’s largest producer of hydrogen—a low-carbon fuel critical for the global transition away from fossil fuels. Key speakers from Asia will include Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Belt and Road Commissioner Nicholas Ho.
On the eve of the event, Swiss entrepreneur and FII participant Stephan Knuser told Asharq Al-Awsat that the conference will provide significant business insights for both local and international communities, anticipating that new partnerships will form between Swiss and Saudi companies in energy-efficient technologies and food security.
Neil Bush, Chairman of Sky Towers, remarked: “We view FII as not only a driver for attracting capital but also for bringing in technologies that accelerate Saudi Arabia’s goals.” According to Bush, the FII topics align with needs like business registration processes, free trade zone policies, and strategies for developing industrial complexes, which will help accelerate Vision 2030 goals, including carbon reduction.