Saudi Economy Minister: Stability in Middle East Is Imperative for Global Growth

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks at Davos. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks at Davos. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Economy Minister: Stability in Middle East Is Imperative for Global Growth

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks at Davos. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks at Davos. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim stressed on Monday that the Kingdom is looking forward to working with the second Trump administration, as Riyadh has worked with previous ones.

“We look forward to working with the second Trump administration... to address and counter some of the global challenges we’re facing, including the tepid economic growth that we are witnessing as a global community today,” he said from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

The minister then noted that any step towards peace in the Middle East is a positive one, with stability in the region “imperative” for global growth.

In an interview with Bloomberg television, Alibrahim said the Kingdom and the US have long-standing strong relations that have spanned eight decades. “It has been strong regardless of which administration was in office,” he underscored.

“We are here today to work together for global prosperity,” he said, adding that, “any step towards peace is a positive progress step. We in the Kingdom have always called for laying a clear and universal path towards more peace, more stability.”

Also, Alibrahim said the Kingdom is always focusing on fostering more global dialogue.

“We’ve been invited to the BRICS, similar to how we’ve been invited to many other multilateral platforms in the past historically,” he said. “We assess many different aspects of it before a decision is made and right now, we are in the middle of that.”

He added that Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s program to a long-term restructure of the economy. “Vision 2030 is on track and moving with a lot of momentum,” the minister stressed.

The Kingdom’s focus-areas is building more human capital potential and having human-led growth, he noted.



GACA Issues Air Carrier and Airport Classifications for December 2024

GACA Issues Air Carrier and Airport Classifications for December 2024
TT

GACA Issues Air Carrier and Airport Classifications for December 2024

GACA Issues Air Carrier and Airport Classifications for December 2024

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued its December classification of air transport service providers and airports to inform passengers about their performance and help them make informed choices. The monthly assessment is based on the number of complaints filed with GACA by travellers.
According to GACA, 1,074 complaints were filed by travellers on Saudi air carriers in December 2024. SAUDIA had the fewest complaints among the airlines, 20 per 100,000 travellers, and a complaint resolution rate of 99%. Flyadeal came second, with 21 complaints per 100,000 travellers and a resolution rate of 100%. Flynas came third with 24 complaints per 100,000 travellers and a resolution rate of 100%. The most common complaints in May were about luggage, flights, and tickets, SPA reported.
Among international airports with more than six million passengers annually, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah had the fewest complaints, 20 per 100,000 travellers, and a resolution rate of 96%.
Among international airports with less than six million passengers annually, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk had the fewest complaints, one per 100,000 travellers, and a resolution rate of 100%.
Among domestic airports, Sharurah Domestic Airport had the fewest complaints, two per 100,000 passengers, and a resolution rate of 100%.
GACA reiterated that the monthly classification report aims to help passengers make informed choices, promote transparency, demonstrate its credibility and keenness to deal with travellers' complaints, stimulate fair competition, and develop and improve services.
According to the authority, multiple communication channels are open 24/7 to enable interaction with travellers and airport visitors. They are the call Center number 1929, WhatsApp service at 0115253333, email [email protected], social media accounts, and GACA's website.
Through these channels, the authority receives complaints concerning boarding passes, employee behaviour, and services for persons with disabilities and limited mobility.
In support of its partners, the airports, GACA prepared a booklet containing guidelines on how to deal with traveller complaints. The booklet, which has been circulated among airport operators, sets out service agreements and the rules that must be adhered to for all types of complaints and inquiries.
The authority also trains, through regularly held workshops, employees of national airlines and ground service companies that deal directly with travellers on how to comply with passenger protection regulations.