Second Phase of Development of Al-Ula Airport Completed

Al-Ula airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Al-Ula airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Second Phase of Development of Al-Ula Airport Completed

Al-Ula airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Al-Ula airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Royal Commission for Al-Ula announced on Friday the completion of the second phase of its project to develop the Al-Ula airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

The airport is one of the main strategic factors that will transform Al-Ula into a major tourist destination and logistic hub.

The completion of this phase of the project coincides with the Commission’s preparations to reopen the region to visitors starting October.

The second phase saw the renovation of the main building and expansion of runways to receive more aircraft. The airport will also now receive 400,000 passengers annually.

The new additions at the facility include the establishment of a VIP reception hall and better services to improve the traveler experience.

Royal Commission for Al-Ula official spokesman Saad Al-Matrafi said the airport will create job opportunities for the locals because it is a logistic hub that meets the demands of northwestern Saudi Arabia.

In cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines, the commission has resumed flights from Riyadh to Al-Ula, with four taking place weekly. Flights from Al-Ula to Jeddah and other cities are expected to resume soon.

In 2019, the airport received some 52,000 travelers from 855 flights.

The first phase of the development of Al-Ula airport was completed in 2019.



GASTAT: Net Inflow of FDI in Saudi Arabia at $4.2 Billion in 3rd Quarter of 2024

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 1, 2024 REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 1, 2024 REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour/File Photo
TT

GASTAT: Net Inflow of FDI in Saudi Arabia at $4.2 Billion in 3rd Quarter of 2024

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 1, 2024 REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 1, 2024 REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour/File Photo

The net inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Saudi Arabia amounted to SAR 16 billion ($4.2 billion) during the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 24% compared to the third quarter of 2023, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said.

FDI achieved a growth of 37% compared to the second quarter of 2024, which recorded SAR 11.7 billion ($3.1 billion), said statistical data published by GASTAT on Monday.

The volume of inflows amounted to about SAR 18 billion ($4.5 billion) during the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 21% compared to the third quarter of 2023 which was approximately SAR 22.6 billion ($6 billion).

The volume of inflows recorded a decrease of 8% compared to the second quarter of 2024, which recorded SAR 19.4 billion ($5.1 billion).

The volume of outflows amounted to about SAR 2 billion during the third quarter of 2024, a growth of 27% compared to the third quarter of 2023, where the volume of outflows reached SAR 1.6 billion. While it recorded a decrease of 74% compared to the second quarter of 2024.