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Saudi Air Connectivity Program Negotiates with Global Firms to Expand Routes to Kingdom

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Air Connectivity Program Negotiates with Global Firms to Expand Routes to Kingdom

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program is meeting with major international transport companies at the Routes World 2024 in Manama, Bahrain.

The goal is to attract these companies to the local market, boosting air routes to 250 destinations and aiming to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.

The program is participating in the three-day event to highlight services and opportunities for improving air connectivity with Saudi Arabia and reaching international markets.

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program has scheduled over 100 meetings at Routes World 2024 with global aviation leaders to discuss partnerships and showcase Saudi Arabia's strategic location as it seeks to expand international air routes.

Rashed Al-Shammari, the program’s Executive Vice President of Commercial Affairs, shared that discussions took place with airlines from Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, and the UK, as well as companies from China.

They explored opportunities for launching new direct flights to Saudi Arabia.

Adding New Seats

Al-Shammari highlighted that the program met with airline decision-makers to present opportunities for both currently served routes, which aim to expand flights, and underserved routes needing additional flights and seats.

He confirmed that interested companies expressed a desire to enter the Saudi market, but attracting them may take six months to five years, depending on factors like distance, aircraft availability, and profitability, especially following the COVID-19 crisis’s impact on the aviation industry.

Looking forward, Al-Shammari announced that follow-up meetings would focus on persuading airlines to establish new routes to underserved markets or enhance existing services.

Strengthening Partnerships

The program invites interested parties to visit its booth at Routes World 2024, where aviation leaders can learn about opportunities available across Saudi Arabia's 29 airports.

Launched in 2021, the Saudi Air Connectivity Program aims to boost tourism by improving air links between Saudi Arabia and the world through developing existing and new routes.

It works as the executive enabler of the National Tourism Strategy and the National Aviation Strategy to foster collaboration between public and private sectors in tourism and aviation, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global destination.

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Presidential Election: A Crucial First Step toward Saving Lebanon from Economic Crisis

The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
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Presidential Election: A Crucial First Step toward Saving Lebanon from Economic Crisis

The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)
The vacant presidential seat at Baabda Palace after President Michel Aoun's term ended (Reuters)

Since 2019, Lebanon has faced one of its worst economic crises in modern history, affecting all aspects of life. The local currency has lost over 95% of its value, driving inflation to record levels and making goods and services unaffordable. Poverty and unemployment have surged.
Amid this, political divisions have paralyzed government action, preventing any effective response to the crisis.
The recent war with Israel added to the burden, causing huge human and material losses estimated by the World Bank at $8.5 billion. This has made Lebanon’s economic and social struggles even harder to resolve, with no president in place to lead the country.
The presidential post in Lebanon has been vacant since President Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, leaving the country without a leader to address growing economic and financial issues.
This vacancy has stalled government formation, making it difficult for Lebanon to negotiate with international donors like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which demands major reforms in exchange for aid.
Choosing a new president is now a critical priority, not only to regain local and international confidence but also to begin the long-needed reforms.
One major challenge the new president will face is the reconstruction effort, which is estimated to cost over $6 billion. This is a huge financial burden that will require significant resources and effort to secure funding.
Reconstruction in Lebanon is not just about fixing infrastructure or repairing damage; it is a key test of the country’s ability to restore its role on the regional and international arena.
To achieve this, Lebanon needs a president with a clear vision and strong international connections, able to engage effectively with donor countries and major financial institutions.
Without credible and unified political leadership, Lebanon’s chances of gaining external support will remain limited, especially as international trust has been shaken by years of mismanagement and lack of reforms.
Keeping Lebanon’s deepening crises in mind, the people are hoping that electing a new president will offer a chance for economic and political recovery.
The new president, along with a strong government, is expected to rebuild trust both locally and internationally and restore political stability—key factors for stopping the economic decline and encouraging growth.
For instance, reviving Lebanon’s vital tourism sector will require better security and restoring confidence in the country as a safe place for investment.
This can only happen with political leadership that has a clear plan for reconstruction and necessary reforms.
Given Lebanon’s ongoing financial struggles, the new president’s ability to address these challenges will be critical to rescuing the country and guiding the economy toward recovery and sustainable growth.