عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Saudi Arabia Concludes Participation in 'Wings India 2024' Conference and Exhibition

The exhibition attracted around 100,000 visitors and is recognized as one of the most significant aviation exhibitions and conferences in Asia. (SPA)
The exhibition attracted around 100,000 visitors and is recognized as one of the most significant aviation exhibitions and conferences in Asia. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Concludes Participation in 'Wings India 2024' Conference and Exhibition

The exhibition attracted around 100,000 visitors and is recognized as one of the most significant aviation exhibitions and conferences in Asia. (SPA)
The exhibition attracted around 100,000 visitors and is recognized as one of the most significant aviation exhibitions and conferences in Asia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, successfully concluded on Sunday its participation in the Wings India 2024 exhibition conference.

The event was organized by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation in cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Leaders and heads of global civil aviation organizations and bodies attended the event that was held from January 18 to 21 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.

During Saudi Arabia's participation, a delegation led by the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, highlighted the vital role of the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom's national economy.

He also emphasized the promising investment opportunities offered by this sector, aligning with the Saudi Aviation Strategy's objectives. Under this strategy, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leading player in civil aviation in the Middle East. Their goals include doubling passenger capacity to 330 million annually, serving more than 250 destinations worldwide, and increasing cargo capacity to 5.4 million tons.

On the sidelines of the conference, Al-Duailej participated in a ministerial session with leaders of civil aviation from around the world. The session focused on reviewing the national aviation strategy's role in supporting economic development in Saudi Arabia.

It also discussed the various opportunities for global investors based on the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The aim is for Saudi Arabia to become a regional aviation hub and a global logistics platform connecting three continents.

The Saudi Aviation Strategy aims to emphasize the Kingdom's pioneering role in the in the field of civil aviation in the Middle East region. It aims to attract $100 billion in investments and create a world-class travel experience for more than 330 million passengers annually by 2030. It intends to target only 10% of these 330 million passengers as transit passengers, underscoring our focus on sustainable and integrated growth.

The Wings India 2024 conference and exhibition also facilitated bilateral and one on one meetings to enhance cooperation. Al-Duailej met with the Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel of the Republic of India, Jyotiraditya Scindia, to discuss topics of mutual interest.

Additionally, he met with Minister of Infrastructure of Sweden Johan Davidsson and discussed cooperation in the field of civil aviation.

Another significant meeting took place with the Minister of Civil Aviation of Cambodia Mao Havanal to explore opportunities for direct operations between the two countries in line with the Saudi Civil Aviation Strategy. The meeting culminated in the signing of a record of consultations between Saudi Arabia and Cambodia.

As part of the activities at Wings India 2024 conference and exhibition, Eng. Imtiaz Muhammad Manzari, the Director General of General Aviation, participated in a dialogue session on "The Helicopter Industry." He highlighted the potential and prospects of helicopters and stressed the importance of developing new and diverse modes of efficient transportation.

Manzari also emphasized the need for modern technologies and infrastructure, including approved airstrips and maintenance centers, to support the safe operation of modern helicopters.

GACA's participation aimed to strengthen relationships with major international airlines and stakeholders in the aviation industry, foster an investor-friendly environment, promote the development of new routes, and introduce promising opportunities in the Saudi aviation sector.

Discussions during the event covered the latest trends, innovations, and solutions in the aviation industry, with a particular focus on air mobility, sustainability, and advanced technologies.

The Wings India 2024 conference and exhibition showcased advanced air transport solutions and their potential to transform civil aviation and open new markets for air travel in the coming decades.

The event attracted over 5,000 participants, including civil aviation authorities from multiple countries, airlines, and companies related to the civil aviation sector.

The exhibition attracted around 100,000 visitors and is recognized as one of the most significant aviation exhibitions and conferences in Asia.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Aljadaan: Emerging Markets Account for 70% of Global Growth

Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Aljadaan: Emerging Markets Account for 70% of Global Growth

Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan stressed Sunday that the world economy is going through a “profound transition,” saying emerging markets and developing economies now account for nearly 60 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in purchasing power terms and over 70 percent of global growth.

In his opening remarks at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the IMF in AlUla, the minister said these economies have become an increasingly important driver of global growth with their share of global economy more than doubling since 2010.

“Today, the 10 emerging economies in the G20 alone account for more than half of the world growth. Yet, they face a more complex and fragmented environment, elevated debt levels, slower trade growth and increasing exposure to geopolitical shocks.”

“Unfortunately, more than half of low income countries are either in or at the risk of debt distress. At the same time global trade growth has slowed at around half of what it was pre the pandemic,” Aljadaan added.

The Finance Minister stressed that the Saudi experience over the past decade has reinforced three lessons that may be relevant to the discussions at the two-day conference, which brings together a select group of ministers and central bank governors, leaders of international organizations, leading investors and academics.

“First, macroeconomic stability is not the enemy of growth. It is actually the foundation,” he said.

“Structural reforms deliver results only when institutions deliver. So there is no point of reforming ... if the institutions are unable to deliver,” he stated.

Finally, he said that “international cooperation matters more, not less, in a fragmented world.”

Business

Georgieva from AlUla: Growth Still Lacks Pre-pandemic Levels

Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Georgieva from AlUla: Growth Still Lacks Pre-pandemic Levels

Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Sunday that world growth still lacks pre-pandemic levels, expressing concern as she expected more shocks amid high spending and rising debt levels in many countries.

Georgieva spoke at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the IMF in AlUla.

The two-day conference brings together a select group of ministers and central bank governors, leaders of international organizations, leading investors and academics to deliberate on policies to global stability, prosperity, and multilateral collaboration.

Georgieva said that the conference was launched last year in recognition of the growing role of emerging market economies in a world of sweeping transformations.

“I came out of this gathering .... With a sense of hope for the pragmatic attitude and determination to pursue good policies and build strong institutions,” she said.

Georgieva stressed that “good policies pay off,” and said that growth rates across emerging economies reached four percent this year, exceeding by a large margin those of advanced economies that are around 1.5 percent.

Business

Saudi Arabia’s flynas, Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Partner to Launch 'flynas Syria'

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia’s flynas, Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Partner to Launch 'flynas Syria'

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)

Saudi budget carrier flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport to establish a new commercial airline under the name "flynas Syria," with operations scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Saturday’s agreement comes within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria, as well as the strategic investment agreements between the two countries, coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport.

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards, meeting the highest safety and aviation security requirements. All licensing and operational procedures will be completed in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The carrier will be established as a joint venture, with 51% ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49% by flynas.

The new airline will operate flights to several destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This expansion aims to bolster air traffic to and from Syria, enhance regional and international connectivity, and meet growing demand for air travel.

"This step is part of our commitment to supporting high-quality cross-border investments. The aviation sector is a key enabler of economic development, and the establishment of 'flynas Syria' serves as a model for constructive investment cooperation,” said Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.

“This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability,” he added.

President of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Omar Hosari also stated that the establishment of flynas Syria represents a strategic step within a comprehensive national vision aimed at rebuilding and developing Syria's civil aviation sector on modern economic and regulatory foundations.

“This will be achieved while balancing safety requirements, operational sustainability, investment stimulation, and passenger services. The partnership reflects the state's orientation toward smart cooperation models with trusted regional partners, ensuring the transfer of expertise, the development of national capabilities, and the enhancement of Syria's air connectivity with regional and international destinations, in line with global best practices in the air transport industry."

flynas Chairman Ayed Al-Jeaid stated that the company continues to pursue strategies aimed at growth and international expansion, describing the agreement as a historic milestone in the company's journey and a promising investment model in partnership with Syria.

flynas CEO Bander Al-mohanna said the step represents a qualitative leap in the company's strategy and financial performance, highlighting the transfer of the company's low-cost aviation experience to the Syrian market to support regional and international air connectivity.

flynas currently operates 23 weekly flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam to Damascus, including two daily direct flights from Riyadh, one daily flight from Jeddah, and two weekly flights from Dammam.

The airline made history on June 5, 2025, by adding the Syrian capital to its network, becoming the first Saudi carrier to resume scheduled flights to Damascus.