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Saudia Group Signs Deal with Lilium to Purchase 100 eVTOL Jets

The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
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Saudia Group Signs Deal with Lilium to Purchase 100 eVTOL Jets

The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA

The Saudia Group signed on Thursday a deal to purchase 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets from the German company Lilium, a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM).

The agreement includes 50 confirmed aircraft and 50 optional aircraft.

The deal, which will make Saudia the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium, is an extension of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Saudia Group and the Germany-based air taxi developer in October 2022 during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.

According to the deal, the Saudia Group is scheduled to receive its first electric aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2026, coinciding with the launch of eVTOL aircraft flights by the Saudi Private Aviation Company.

The electric aircraft included in the deal are among the first fully eVTOL, where these aircraft can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for traditional airports. These aircraft can cover a distance of up to 175 kilometers at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour, offering significant time savings for individual travelers compared to other options and accommodating six passengers.

This deal will contribute to providing more flights and reducing travel time by up to 90%, including to tourist destinations that typically require long travel times. It also offers an effective solution for transportation in congested areas, reducing traffic and saving time. Additionally, it expands the range of premium services for VIP guests, providing a seamless and luxurious travel experience, which will also enhance tourism and business in the Kingdom.

The Saudia Group's agreement with Lilium aligns with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The deal will help boost the tourism, entertainment, and sports sectors, facilitate the transport of guests from around the world, and support the goal of transporting 330 million passengers and 150 million visits. Moreover, it will provide easy movement for pilgrims during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, aligning with the target of receiving 30 million Umrah performers.

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Business

Gold, Silver Fall as CME Margin Hike Stokes Selling

(FILES) A jeweler shows gold and silver bars at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on January 12, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
(FILES) A jeweler shows gold and silver bars at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on January 12, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold, Silver Fall as CME Margin Hike Stokes Selling

(FILES) A jeweler shows gold and silver bars at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on January 12, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
(FILES) A jeweler shows gold and silver bars at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on January 12, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold and silver prices pared some losses but remained under pressure on Monday, after increased CME margin requirements added to the selling pressure following last week's selloff sparked by Kevin Warsh's nomination as the incoming Federal Reserve chair. Spot gold was 2.3% lower at $4,754.51 per ounce by 1319 GMT, trimming losses from a near 10% fall earlier in the session. Bullion shed more than 9.8% on January 30, in its sharpest one-day drop since 1983, Reuters reported.

Gold has lost about $900 since hitting an all-time-high of $5,594.82 on January 29, erasing most of this year's gains.

US gold futures for April delivery were up 0.7% at $4,777.70/oz. Spot silver lost 3.8% to $81.41, recovering from a fall of 15% earlier on Monday. It has shed about 33% since notching an all-time-peak of $121.64 last week.

Prices have regained from lows earlier in the session as investors buy the dip and cover short positions, said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and FOREX.com.

"But that doesn't mean that the downward trend that started at the back end of last week is over, so this could just be a temporary bounce before we see more volatility," Razaqzada added. The CME announced hikes in margins on its precious metal futures on January 30 and said the changes were set to take effect after market close on Monday.

"The increase in margin requirements makes holding speculative positions less appealing now and will also force a lot on the retail side of the market who do not have the extra liquidity to sell positions," said Zain Vawda, analyst at MarketPulse by OANDA. The dollar index edged higher last week after US President Donald Trump named former Federal Reserve Governor Warsh as his Fed chair pick, making dollar-priced bullion more expensive for buyers overseas.

While investors expect Warsh to favor rate cuts, they anticipate he will tighten the Fed's balance sheet, a move typically supportive of the dollar.

Barclays said in a note on Monday it expects rate cuts, fiscal expansion, quantitative easing, fiat debasement and de-dollarisation to likely keep investment demand firm for gold. Spot platinum fell by 0.6% to $2,145.03 per ounce after hitting a record $2,918.80 on January 26, while palladium rose 1.2% to $1,719.25.

Business

Cluster2 Airports Achieves Growth in Operational Traffic During 2025

The cluster reported that its airports welcomed over 19.9 million passengers in 2025 - SPA
The cluster reported that its airports welcomed over 19.9 million passengers in 2025 - SPA
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Cluster2 Airports Achieves Growth in Operational Traffic During 2025

The cluster reported that its airports welcomed over 19.9 million passengers in 2025 - SPA
The cluster reported that its airports welcomed over 19.9 million passengers in 2025 - SPA

Cluster2 Airports, which operates 22 airports across the Kingdom, achieved remarkable performance in 2025, recording significant growth in both air traffic and passenger numbers.

The cluster reported that its airports welcomed over 19.9 million passengers in 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year. They also handled more than 164,000 flights, a 7% rise, with 87.9% of departures and 87.4% of arrivals operating on schedule.

As part of its network expansion, the cluster announced service to 25 international and domestic destinations across 124 air routes, further strengthening air connectivity between the Kingdom and the rest of the world, SPA reported.

In the area of air cargo and logistics, Cluster2 Airports exceeded its 2025 cargo volume targets by 7%, handling 1,634 tons—a 44% increase compared to 2024.

The cluster continued to achieve significant milestones, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience and improving service quality as 18 airports received Level 2 Customer Experience certification from the Airports Council International (ACI).

To reinforce its commitment to the highest safety and security standards, the cluster conducted 278 drills at its airports during 2025 to enhance operational readiness and improve emergency response efficiency.

Business

Saudi Arabia Funds $40 Million Industrial City Project in Oman

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Oman. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Oman. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Funds $40 Million Industrial City Project in Oman

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Oman. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Oman. (SPA)

Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) CEO Sultan Al-Marshad and Oman’s Minister of Finance Sultan Al Habsi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the establishment of an industrial city in Oman, funded by the Kingdom through the SFD with $40 million.

The MoU aims to develop the industrial and logistical sectors in the Dhofar governorate through a fully integrated industrial city covering approximately 3.94 million square meters, equipped with comprehensive infrastructure.

This includes administrative and service buildings, public facilities, road networks, electricity and water systems, two wastewater treatment plants, and engineering consultancy services.

Al-Marshad said the MoU reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Oman’s development sectors and strengthening bilateral development cooperation.