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Saudi Air Navigation: Virtual Towers Boost Efficiency, Open Control and Maintenance Roles to Saudi Women

Virtual tower operations center – Air Navigation Services (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Virtual tower operations center – Air Navigation Services (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi Air Navigation: Virtual Towers Boost Efficiency, Open Control and Maintenance Roles to Saudi Women

Virtual tower operations center – Air Navigation Services (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Virtual tower operations center – Air Navigation Services (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Saudi Arabia is accelerating digital transformation in aviation as virtual air traffic control towers enter live operations, marking a first for the Middle East. Saudi Air Navigation Services Company said the technology is among its flagship digital initiatives to enhance air traffic efficiency and prepare Saudi airspace for rapid growth.

The company has also successfully enabled Saudi women to work in air traffic control and navigation systems maintenance after completing specialized training programs.

Eng. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, told Asharq Al-Awsat that virtual towers are a cutting-edge global technology adopted as part of the company’s broader transformation drive.

Al-Zahrani explained that a virtual tower replaces the traditional structure with a digital system built on high-definition cameras and advanced target-tracking technologies at the airport. Controllers can perform their duties without direct line-of-sight, using zoom and data overlays unavailable in conventional towers, such as flight number, passenger count, origin, and destination.

The initiative has moved beyond theory: the company has already launched the region’s first virtual tower at AlUla International Airport, operated remotely from King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. The project has also won the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services’ Innovation Award.

Al-Zahrani said that virtual towers raise controller efficiency by enabling oversight of multiple airports from a single center, while improving safety and operational performance through clearer imagery and richer data.

Beyond technology, readiness depends on continuity. The company operates two primary air traffic control centers in Riyadh and Jeddah; if one is disrupted, the other can seamlessly manage Saudi airspace without service interruption.

Since its launch in June 2016, the company has aimed to rank among regional leaders in air traffic management. Today, it is one of the region’s foremost providers and is pursuing global leadership.

Air traffic continues to expand. By the end of November, flights totaled 921,095, up 5.7% year on year. A daily record was set on June 19, 2025, with 3,673 flights, averaging 153 per hour.

On workforce development, Al-Zahrani said women have begun work as controllers and maintenance specialists, demonstrating strong performance. The company employs about 2,000 staff, over 97% Saudi nationals, and 100% Saudis in air traffic control roles.

Sustainability underpins operations across environmental efficiency, social impact through national talent empowerment, and governance via integrity and compliance. On cybersecurity, the company adheres to top international standards and recently earned the global SOC-CMM certification, measuring operations readiness across people, processes, technology, services, and business integration.

 

 

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Business

Shehbaz Sharif: We Repaid $3.5 Billion in Debt Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s 'Pivotal' Support

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holding talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on March 12, 2026 (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holding talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on March 12, 2026 (SPA).
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Shehbaz Sharif: We Repaid $3.5 Billion in Debt Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s 'Pivotal' Support

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holding talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on March 12, 2026 (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holding talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on March 12, 2026 (SPA).

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that his country had successfully repaid $3.5 billion in mandatory bilateral debt, affirming that this achievement came thanks to the “pivotal” support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He clarified that this repayment did not affect the stability of foreign exchange reserves; rather, it strengthened market confidence in Pakistan’s ability to meet its international obligations.

The Kingdom had announced the provision of substantial financial support to Pakistan, including the extension of the term of a previous $5 billion deposit and the provision of an additional $3 billion deposit, aimed at enhancing economic stability and addressing global changes.

On Friday, the State Bank of Pakistan announced that Islamabad had completed the repayment of $3.45 billion in deposits to the United Arab Emirates, settling a final tranche worth $1 billion. The bank had also announced that it had received the Saudi deposit worth $3 billion.

This came after the United Arab Emirates requested that Pakistan return the funds it had deposited in the State Bank of Pakistan in 2018 to bolster its foreign exchange reserves.

This qualitative support aims to enable the Pakistani economy to confront global economic changes and strengthen its financial resilience, in a way that positively reflects on the living conditions of the Pakistani people. It also reaffirms the Kingdom’s consistent and ongoing position of standing alongside Pakistan under all circumstances, embodying the sincere bonds of brotherhood between the leaderships and the peoples.

In an address before the cabinet, the Pakistani Prime Minister clarified the current financial situation, stating: “We have repaid our mandatory external debts (amounting to approximately $3.5 billion in bilateral loans). Our foreign exchange reserves are stable at their current level, and we have fulfilled our obligations and repaid our debts.”

These developments constitute a key pillar in Pakistan’s relationship with international institutions; the stability of liquid reserves at around $20.6 billion (including $15.1 billion held by the central bank) contributes to strengthening Islamabad’s negotiating position with the International Monetary Fund. Pakistan’s success in repaying its bilateral debts, alongside adherence to the requirements of the Fund’s financing program, is seen as a vote of international confidence in the Pakistani economy’s ability to meet its immediate and future financial commitments.

The central bank indicated that its success in managing the outflows required to repay these billions was achieved without causing any shock to the value of the local currency, as the Pakistani rupee remained stable thanks to supportive deposits and cautious monetary policies.

For his part, Sharif explained that this repayment did not come at the expense of monetary stability; rather, it resulted from a coordinated plan between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank to ensure that foreign exchange reserves remained at safe levels, which strengthens Pakistan’s position in its ongoing negotiations with international financial institutions.

Regarding the role played by the Kingdom in securing this financial passage, the Prime Minister expressed his country’s deep appreciation, saying: “We are extremely grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; they played a pivotal role in this matter. I am confident that these major issues will also be resolved, and Pakistan’s peace efforts continue uninterrupted and without relent.”

Sharif noted that this Saudi support was not merely temporary financial assistance, but rather a reflection of the depth of historical ties, adding: “Just as we have strengthened mutual cooperation by removing obstacles at both the joint and institutional levels, positive results have emerged from this.”

It is worth noting that this new Saudi move is not unprecedented. In 2018, the Kingdom provided a $6 billion support package, which included a $3 billion deposit in the State Bank of Pakistan, in addition to deferred oil payment facilities of the same value.

Business

New Shipping Service Connects Jeddah Islamic Port with China, Malaysia and Egypt

Jeddah Islamic Port (Mawani)
Jeddah Islamic Port (Mawani)
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New Shipping Service Connects Jeddah Islamic Port with China, Malaysia and Egypt

Jeddah Islamic Port (Mawani)
Jeddah Islamic Port (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of China United Lines’ new SGX shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port, enhancing the Kingdom’s connectivity with global markets, improving supply chain efficiency, and supporting trade flows through the Red Sea- one of the world’s most important maritime routes.

The new shipping service connects Jeddah Islamic Port with the ports of Shanghai and Nansha in China, as well as ports in Malaysia and Egypt, with a capacity of up to 2,452 TEUs.

This initiative forms part of Mawani’s ongoing efforts to improve the Kingdom’s performance in global logistics indicators, strengthen national exports, and support the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub and a key link between three continents.

Business

Saudi Trade Offices Contribute to Creating 2,221 Export Opportunities, Securing 393 New Investments

King Abdullah Economic City port (Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority)
King Abdullah Economic City port (Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority)
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Saudi Trade Offices Contribute to Creating 2,221 Export Opportunities, Securing 393 New Investments

King Abdullah Economic City port (Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority)
King Abdullah Economic City port (Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority)

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Foreign Trade said Saudi commercial attachés contributed to creating 2.221 export opportunities and secured 393 new investment opportunities, underscoring efforts to expand the Kingdom’s global economic footprint.

The gains came alongside measures to protect domestic industry, including four anti-dumping investigations and five decisions imposing protective duties on imports to ensure fair competition and support Saudi exports abroad.

Established in 2019 as an independent authority, the body is tasked with advancing Saudi trade interests internationally and supporting economic development under Vision 2030.

According to a recent authority report seen by Asharq Al-Awsat, the agency held 25 meetings of its main negotiating team involving Saudi government entities, 75 meetings of related subcommittees and 149 meetings of Gulf technical negotiating teams. It also conducted seven rounds of negotiations between Gulf Cooperation Council states and trade partners.

International Partnerships

The authority carried out 38 overseas visits, participated in or prepared for 39 international forums and conferences, and held 305 technical meetings with domestic and foreign entities.

It launched four anti-dumping investigations into imports, prepared 182 economic reports to support companies and took part in seven international investigations to defend Saudi exports. It also issued five anti-dumping duty decisions covering imports of several products.

The report said the authority continued negotiations with a number of countries to support non-oil exports - goods and services - by securing preferential access to global markets, encouraging and protecting investment, strengthening supply chains and advancing free trade agreements with major economies and blocs.

Diversification Push

The authority said the efforts align with Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position in global trade, adding that it was pressing ahead with trade policies aimed at widening the reach of Saudi exports and opening new markets, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as a global trade hub.

The authority also said it was working with public and private sector partners to develop a more flexible and competitive external trade system while adopting international best practices in trade regulation.

The efforts form part of broader plans to boost the competitiveness of Saudi exports, improve efficiency and build a sustainable, diversified economy in line with the Kingdom’s foreign trade ambitions.