Saudi Efforts to Engage Small Enterprises Into Aviation Services

 A photo taken on June 6, 2017 shows a general view of the King Fahad street in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (AFP)
A photo taken on June 6, 2017 shows a general view of the King Fahad street in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (AFP)
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Saudi Efforts to Engage Small Enterprises Into Aviation Services

 A photo taken on June 6, 2017 shows a general view of the King Fahad street in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (AFP)
A photo taken on June 6, 2017 shows a general view of the King Fahad street in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (AFP)

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monshaat) and the Saudi Ground Services Company (SGS) signed an agreement on Friday as part of ongoing efforts to engage small enterprises into the Saudi aviation services.

Under the agreement, Monshaat will work to nominate qualified entrepreneurs according to the approved mechanisms, provide them with advice and guidance and propose solutions to business challenges, while the SGS would secure experts and knowledge resources for ground handling operations.

The CEO of SGS, Raed Al-Idrisi, said that the agreement would include initiatives that enable the development of the aviation sector and ground handling services, in addition to providing material and practical support to allow companies to implement their solutions on the ground.

For his part, Monshaat Deputy Governor Esam Al-Thukair revealed that the percentage of SMEs lending out of the total funding provided by banks and financing companies reached 8.2 percent in 2020.

Speaking during a workshop entitled “Discussing the Challenges Facing the SMEs with the Financial Sector”, which was recently organized by the Riyadh Chamber, Al-Thukair stressed that Monshaat aimed to raise the percentage to 20 percent by 2030.

He added that the financing platform, which was recently launched by the authority, was able to provide 1.6 billion riyals ($426 million) to the sector through banks and companies within seven months.

The Riyadh Chamber emphasized the importance of the SMEs sector in supporting and strengthening the national economy, and its endeavor to reach innovative solutions aimed at injecting more resources into the national economy in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh and Chair of the Financial Sector and Finance Committee, Kholoud Al-Dakhil, stated that the discussions covered four axes, namely financing, regulatory requirements and fees, the application of governance rules and the support provided by Monshaat.

Al-Dakhil stressed the importance of having a clear plan to structure government fees during the next five years that would enable SMEs to conduct their feasibility studies and manage their financial resources accordingly.

She pointed to the importance of enhancing communication and coordination between the Finance Committee represented by the Chamber and the private sector to exchange new ideas and innovations by SMEs.



Virgin Atlantic Launches Direct Flights Linking Europe, the US, and Saudi Arabia

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Virgin Atlantic Launches Direct Flights Linking Europe, the US, and Saudi Arabia

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has welcomed the inaugural flight of British airline Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow, marking a major milestone in the airline’s expansion into the Saudi market.

The new daily service aims to connect travelers from Europe and the US to Saudi Arabia, amid projections of a 24% increase in air connectivity between the Kingdom and the UK by 2035.

Saudi Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority Ahmed Al Khateeb described the launch as a significant step in reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

He stressed that the strategic partnership with the Virgin Group would help attract more visitors from the UK and beyond, eager to explore Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and unique experiences.

In 2024, the Kingdom welcomed over 128 million air travelers, a 15% year-on-year increase, and views the UK as one of its most vital target markets.

Speaking at a press conference in Diriyah, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson expressed his enthusiasm for the airline’s entry into Saudi Arabia.

He praised the Kingdom’s rapid development, citing tourism projects on the Red Sea, golf courses, luxury hotels, and new entertainment cities as key attractions.

Branson revealed that Virgin Atlantic will operate connecting flights from Riyadh to London, then onward to Los Angeles and other global destinations. He also hinted at an upcoming meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to explore further collaboration in tourism, including hotel ventures, cruise ships, and even space travel through Virgin Galactic.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said Virgin Atlantic’s arrival was made possible through collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Air Connectivity Program.

He explained that the airline would serve not only as a travel link but also as a broader tourism partner through its associated brands - Virgin Holidays, Virgin Voyages (cruise tourism), and Virgin Galactic (space tourism).

The new route is expected to contribute 95,000 seats annually between London and Riyadh, with the goal of attracting more tourists from Europe and North America.

Hamidaddin noted that these developments align with efforts to enhance travel options and pricing through both international and local airline partnerships.

The launch of the Virgin Atlantic route reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global tourism hub and highlights the deepening ties between Riyadh and London.

With Riyadh evolving into a center of investment and tourism, the city offers a gateway to explore the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes - ranging from vast deserts and towering mountains in Asir to warm Red Sea beaches and coral reefs - along with its world-class events, continue to draw millions of visitors from around the globe.