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Riyadh Air Announces Inaugural Flights to London on October 26, Unveils ‘Sfeer’ Loyalty Program

Starting October 26, Riyadh Air will operate daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, named “Jamila.” (SPA)
Starting October 26, Riyadh Air will operate daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, named “Jamila.” (SPA)
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Riyadh Air Announces Inaugural Flights to London on October 26, Unveils ‘Sfeer’ Loyalty Program

Starting October 26, Riyadh Air will operate daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, named “Jamila.” (SPA)
Starting October 26, Riyadh Air will operate daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, named “Jamila.” (SPA)

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Wednesday the launch of its first daily flights to London Heathrow Airport, starting October 26. The milestone marks a major step toward achieving full operational readiness and delivering world-class travel experiences.

The airline also unveiled its innovative loyalty program, “Sfeer,” designed to offer exclusive benefits to its early founding members and to redefine the future of loyalty in global aviation, said Riyadh Air in a statement.

Starting October 26, Riyadh Air will operate daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, named “Jamila,” currently serving as the airline’s technical spare. In the initial phase, tickets will be available for select passenger groups and Riyadh Air employees as part of a structured operational program to ensure full readiness ahead of receiving its first new aircraft from Boeing, while also utilizing its newly allocated operational slot at Heathrow Airport.

The inaugural flight RX401 will depart King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 3:15 a.m. and arrive at London Heathrow at 7:30 a.m. The return flight RX402 will depart London at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Riyadh at 7:15 p.m.

This operational phase represents a key milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey, which will soon be followed by additional routes, including Dubai, underscoring the airline’s commitment to excellence. Through comprehensive evaluation of the initial “Jamila” flights, the airline is ensuring world-class readiness and service quality ahead of launching new destinations for the Winter 2025 and Summer 2026 seasons.

Commenting on the milestone, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said: “This is more than just the launch of a route, it is the realization of our vision to connect the Kingdom with the world as a driving force of Saudi Vision 2030.”

“Our commitment to begin operations in 2025 is now taking shape. This carefully planned flight program allows us to perfect every operational detail to ensure a seamless, reliable, and world-class travel experience. We are only steps away from full-scale operations, with more destination launches to be announced in the coming weeks,” he added.

Douglas sressed that the new “Sfeer” program combines the Arabic meaning of “Ambassador” with the English word “Sphere,” symbolizing global connection. “Sfeer” enables members to embody Saudi hospitality and represent Riyadh Air internationally. It introduces a unique, community-driven approach to loyalty programs that blends social engagement with innovative digital experiences, allowing members to explore the best of Saudi Arabia.

A distinctive feature of “Sfeer” is its ability to allow members to share Level Points with family and friends, helping them reach higher membership tiers together.

Registration is now open on Riyadh Air’s official website, where early registrants will be granted “Founding Member” status, gaining early access to bookings on Riyadh Air’s first flights and additional exclusive benefits to be announced soon.

The innovative design of “Sfeer” centers on community, enabling members to soon share their points, rewards, and qualified spending with family and friends, reflecting Saudi generosity and collective spirit. By 2026, once fully activated, “Sfeer” will introduce interactive digital challenges, leaderboards, and a “no points expiry” policy, representing a true embodiment of Saudi generosity.

Joining “Sfeer” today grants members immediate benefits and positions them at the forefront of Riyadh Air’s journey. Founding members will enjoy priority booking when commercial flights open for sale and exclusive invitations to special events and experiences.

Over the coming months, all members will have access to unique activities and partnerships with local and international entities, including culinary and entertainment experiences, and opportunities to win free flights and valuable prizes.

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Business

Syria's Wheat Harvest Expected to More Than Double this Year

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a land that was planted with wheat and has been harvested, in Qamishli, Syria August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a land that was planted with wheat and has been harvested, in Qamishli, Syria August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
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Syria's Wheat Harvest Expected to More Than Double this Year

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a land that was planted with wheat and has been harvested, in Qamishli, Syria August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a land that was planted with wheat and has been harvested, in Qamishli, Syria August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo

Syria's wheat production is expected to more than double this year, authorities said, bolstered by heavier rains and the state's recapture of a northeastern breadbasket region from Kurdish forces — but demand has grown in parallel.

The agriculture ministry estimates a harvest between 2.3 million and 2.5 million metric tons of wheat this year, senior ministry official Ahmed Jalal Al-Ahmad told Reuters. Last year's production stood at around 900,000 metric tons.

"We were blessed with a bountiful harvest season," Ahmad said.

Production increased partly "due to a season of heavy rainfall", a surprise turnaround after last year's historic drought slashed wheat production and threatened a food crisis.

Ahmad said the harvest projection was also higher because the count included contributions from northern ⁠and northeastern provinces, held ⁠for years by Kurdish authorities but now merged into state control after an offensive by Syrian government troops.

The contributions from three recaptured provinces make up more than half of the expected production, with Hasakah expected to yield around 800,000 tons, Raqqa 300,000 tons and Deir Ezzor about 250,000 tons, he added.

"These 1.5 million tons represent the real difference in the increased production this season compared to last year."

In the years leading up to the government's takeover, wheat production in these regions suffered from ⁠prolonged droughts and constant fighting between the various factions controlling them.

Despite the stellar harvest, Syria will still need to import some of its wheat, as the country requires around 4 million tons a year, Ahmad said.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians who fled the country during its nearly 14-year war have returned after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad

"We may always need to import during this period until we reach full recovery to meet market demand, especially for soft wheat used in bread production," Ahmad said.

He said the agriculture ministry was working to expand grain infrastructure in the north and northeast, planning to add more than 15 grain centers in Hasakah, Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and the Aleppo countryside.

The state ⁠buys and sells ⁠domestic wheat through the Syrian Grain Establishment and set a price of $380 per ton this year, with an incentive bonus of about $70 per ton delivered, according to Syrian state media.

The government has launched a new electronic platform to organize the purchases and set appointments for farmers to deliver their produce to grain centers. However, it has drawn the ire of producers who say the system is disconnected from local needs and realities on the ground.

"Booking platforms don't suit the agricultural fields," farmer Abdullah Al-Issa said. "The size of the platforms is one thing, the reality is another, the offices are another, and the farmer's reality is something else entirely."

Issa also complained about this year's low wheat prices compared with last year. In 2025, the government's incentive bonus was $130 for every ton delivered.

"The prices aren't commensurate with the wheat's value; they're very low," he said.

Business

Iraq to Export Crude, Naphtha through Syria after Hormuz Shock

A pump jack operates near a crude oil reserve in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
A pump jack operates near a crude oil reserve in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
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Iraq to Export Crude, Naphtha through Syria after Hormuz Shock

A pump jack operates near a crude oil reserve in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
A pump jack operates near a crude oil reserve in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo

Iraq is preparing to export crude oil and naphtha through ports in Syria, Syrian and Iraqi energy officials and refinery sources said after the Iran war cut off its main Gulf shipping routes.

The move would broaden an arrangement that has seen Iraq export fuel oil through the Mediterranean port of Baniyas after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which sharply curtailed Gulf export routes for OPEC's second-largest producer.

Two Iraqi oil officials said plans to diversify crude and fuel export routes, including through Syria, would continue even after the Iran war ends and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal, as part of a government-approved strategy to reduce Iraq's reliance on a single export corridor.

"The Iraqi government and the oil ministry attach the highest importance to diversifying crude export routes, particularly through Syrian territory," Iraqi oil ministry spokesperson Saleem al-Rikabi told Reuters.

Rikabi said the oil ministry, through state oil marketer SOMO, was continuing "discussions and cooperation" with Syria to expand exports through its western neighbor.

Iraq ‌normally exports a ‌total of around 3.6 million barrels of oil per day and before the Iran war around ‌3.4 ⁠million bpd flowed through ⁠its southern Basra terminals.

Mohammed Al-Ahdab, head of the media office at Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC), said the operation and offloading were continuing, despite the anticipated opening of the strait.

Before the disruption caused by the Iran war, Iraq mainly exported its fuel oil from the Gulf port of Khor al-Zubair, but the conflict has forced it to seek alternative routes after the strait was closed and storage facilities began filling up.

The initial work-around, which began operating in April, saw millions of barrels of Iraqi fuel oil trucked across Syria to Baniyas and re-exported from there.

Syria plans to open two extra unloading areas and other facilities in Baniyas within a week to handle Iraqi crude oil and naphtha, a Syrian energy ministry official said. ⁠Ahdab said Baniyas can now unload an average of 900 tanker-trucks per day.

Crude could begin crossing ‌from Iraq to Syria at around 50,000 barrels per day once the loading installations ‌are ready, the two Iraqi oil ministry officials said. There were no immediate details on planned levels of naphtha exports.

Tanker-truck exports are expected to begin ‌in early July, Syrian and Iraqi officials said, while SOMO is set to open offices in Baniyas.

FEE INCOME FOR SYRIA

In April, SOMO ‌awarded contracts to supply about 650,000 metric tons of fuel oil per month from April to June to be trucked overland via Syria. Iraq exported a record 18 million tons of fuel oil in 2024, equivalent to roughly 1.5 million tons per month, with the best available data for 2025 showing they were near the levels reached in late 2024.

SPC Deputy CEO Ahmad Kobbaji told Reuters in May that Syria had limited infrastructure but was increasing its ‌unloading and re-export capacity for Iraqi fuel products.

Under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria is seeking to reintegrate into the regional and global economy after decades of Assad family rule and nearly 14 years ⁠of war devastated its economy and ⁠left it politically and financially isolated.

Syria is earning transit fees from the fuel oil shipments, paid through buyers and intermediaries rather than directly by SOMO, the Iraqi oil ministry officials said. Reuters was unable to determine what Syria was earning or how fees were collected.

Iraqi fuel oil shipped via Syria had reached destinations across Africa and Europe, with the latest tanker arriving in Alexandria, Egypt, on June 9, LSEG shipping data showed.

IRAQ KEEN TO EXPORT, DESPITE RISKS

The route to Baniyas is fraught with challenges, with highways damaged by years of war, and Reuters reporters saw lines of Iraqi tankers stretching for more than 30 km (19 miles) along the road to the port.

In June, two Iraqi fuel tankers collided near Homs, spilling thousands of liters of fuel, while protesters in northeast Syria blocked Iraqi tankers to protest against rising fuel prices and deteriorating living conditions.

A source at the Baniyas facility with direct knowledge of the transfers said the Iraqi fuel oil is not processed at the refinery. Instead, tanker trucks unload at a marine platform connected to storage tanks north of the refinery, from where the fuel is pumped directly to waiting export tankers.

Meanwhile, Syria is working on reviving war-damaged pipelines to replace the tanker route, SPC's Kobbaji said in May. The Iraq-Syria oil pipeline can pump up to 300,000 barrels per day, the Syrian energy ministry official said.

Business

Kuwait Offers Crude for July Delivery after Lifting Force Majeure

A boat sails in the Gulf waters as the sun sets behind Kuwait City's landmark Kuwait Towers on June 9, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A boat sails in the Gulf waters as the sun sets behind Kuwait City's landmark Kuwait Towers on June 9, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Kuwait Offers Crude for July Delivery after Lifting Force Majeure

A boat sails in the Gulf waters as the sun sets behind Kuwait City's landmark Kuwait Towers on June 9, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A boat sails in the Gulf waters as the sun sets behind Kuwait City's landmark Kuwait Towers on June 9, 2026. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Kuwait Petroleum Corp is offering crude for July delivery via a tender, a document showed on Friday, after lifting force majeure and announcing plans to ramp up output.

The producer is offering Kuwait Export Crude with each cargo at 2 million barrels, according to the document.

They will be sold at a differential to the average Oman and Dubai price quotes on a delivered ex-ship basis, Reuters quoted it as saying.

The tender will close on Tuesday with bids ⁠remaining valid until Wednesday.

KPC ⁠said on Thursday that all force majeure notices issued during the US-Israeli war on Iran have been lifted with immediate effect, the government communication center reported on X.

The country's oil production would increase to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) ⁠within a week, coinciding with the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and resumption of commercial shipping, it added.

Kuwait exported about 1.2 million bpd of crude on average in the first two months of this year, which plummeted to near zero in April, data from shiptracker Kpler showed.

Last week, KPC sold 4 million barrels of crude for June delivery via a tender.

The cargoes were loaded via STS at Oman's Sohar area onto Very Large Crude Carriers Sea Ruby and Maran Atalanta, which are heading to China, Kpler data showed.