黑料社区

Riyadh airport tops Saudi on-time performance rankings in April: GACA data聽

Riyadh airport tops Saudi on-time performance rankings in April: GACA data聽
According to the monthly report published by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Riyadh-based hub outperformed larger airports such as Jeddah鈥檚 King Abdulaziz International. Shutterstock
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Updated 25 May 2025

Riyadh airport tops Saudi on-time performance rankings in April: GACA data聽

Riyadh airport tops Saudi on-time performance rankings in April: GACA data聽
  • Saudia reported an 89% on-time rate for arrivals and departures
  • Riyadh鈥揂mman route recorded the highest on-time performance at 97%

JEDDAH: 黑料社区鈥檚 King Khalid International Airport recorded the highest on-time departure rate among the Kingdom鈥檚 international airports in April, achieving 90 percent punctuality, official data showed.聽聽

According to the monthly report published by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Riyadh-based hub outperformed larger airports such as Jeddah鈥檚 King Abdulaziz International, the Saudi Press Agency reported.聽

The report comes as 黑料社区 continues to push operational upgrades under its National Aviation Strategy, part of the broader Vision 2030 plan to position the Kingdom as a regional air transit hub.聽

鈥淭he report issued in April 2025 indicated that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Abha International Airport, Neom International Airport, Turaif Airport, and Wadi Al-Dawasir Airport topped the advanced positions in the report,鈥 the SPA report stated.聽

The rankings are based on data compiled by Matarat Holding Co. and exclude canceled flights. Performance is measured by flights departing or arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled times.聽

In the category of international airports handling more than 15 million passengers annually, the Jeddah-based King Abdulaziz International Airport recorded a punctuality rate of 78 percent, according to the study.聽聽

For international airports serving between 5 million and 15 million passengers annually, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam secured the highest ranking with an on-time performance of 87 percent. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, which also falls under this category, recorded a 72 percent rate.聽

In the segment of international airports accommodating between 2 million and 5 million passengers annually, Abha International Airport posted the highest punctuality rate at 91 percent. This was followed by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan with 90 percent, and Tabuk Airport with 82 percent.聽

NEOM Bay International Airport led among international airports with fewer than 2 million passengers annually, achieving a 95 percent on-time departure rate. Other strong performers in this category included Al-Ahsa International Airport at 93 percent and Najran Airport at 89 percent.聽

Turaif and Wadi Al-Dawasir airports recorded perfect performance among domestic flight hubs, achieving 100 percent on-time departures. King Saud bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al-Baha followed closely with 99 percent, while Bisha Airport posted 94 percent.聽

At the airline level, national flag carrier Saudia reported an 89 percent on-time rate for arrivals and departures. Meanwhile, flynas achieved 86 percent for arrivals and 91 percent for departures, while flyadeal recorded 87 percent and 91 percent, respectively.聽

Regarding specific flight routes, the Riyadh鈥揂bha domestic passage maintained a strong on-time departure rate of 96 percent. Other high-performing domestic routes included Riyadh鈥揟abuk and Riyadh鈥揇ammam, both at 96 percent, while the Jizan鈥揜iyadh route sustained its previous month鈥檚 rate of 95 percent.聽

Internationally, the Riyadh鈥揂mman route recorded the highest on-time performance at 97 percent, followed by Riyadh鈥揃ahrain at 94 percent, Riyadh鈥揇ubai at 93 percent, and Riyadh鈥揔uwait at 92 percent. The Jeddah鈥揂mman route also achieved a 94 percent punctuality rate.


$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism

$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism
Updated 14 September 2025

$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism

$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism
  • The success underscores 黑料社区鈥檚 ongoing efforts to develop its tourism sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Ministry of Tourism has announced record-breaking results for the 鈥淪audi Summer鈥 program, welcoming over 32 million domestic and international tourists, a 26 percent increase compared to the 2024 summer season.

Tourist spending also hit new heights, with total expenditures reaching SR53.2 billion ($14.2 billion), marking a 15 percent year-on-year rise. The southern Asir region saw remarkable growth, particularly from Gulf Cooperation Council visitors, with arrivals surging 49 percent over last summer. The success underscores 黑料社区鈥檚 ongoing efforts to develop its tourism sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a premier global travel destination.

Launched in June by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Saudi Summer program 鈥 under the theme 鈥淐olor Your Summer鈥 鈥 highlighted six diverse destinations, including coastal escapes in Jeddah and the Red Sea, and mountainous retreats in Taif, Al-Baha, and Asir.  Major events included the Esports World Cup, along with Jeddah and Asir Seasons, offering a wide array of activities and cultural shows.

Building on this momentum, the Kingdom is already preparing for the Saudi Winter season, promising more global events and innovative tourism experiences for visitors year-round.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433
Updated 14 September 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 19.08 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 10,433.98.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR2.76 billion ($738 million), with 85 stocks advancing and 171 declining.

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market Nomu also fell, shedding 113.37 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 24,912.85, as 31 stocks advanced while 51 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index edged down 0.83 points, or 0.06 percent, to 1,362.04.

Al Majed Oud Co. was the best-performing stock of the day, surging 9.97 percent to SR120.20. Other top gainers included Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., up 3.67 percent to SR23.72, and 黑料社区n Mining Co., which rose 2.85 percent to SR55.95.

On the other hand, Dar Al Majed Real Estate Co. posted the steepest loss, dropping 8.35 percent to SR11.64. Alandalus Property Co. fell 6.19 percent to SR18.48, while Tamkeen Human Resource Co. declined 4.40 percent to SR54.30.

On the announcements front, Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology Co. reported its annual financial results for the year ending June 30. According to a Tadawul filing, the company鈥檚 net profit rose 30.03 percent to SR39.2 million, driven by higher gross profit, stronger income from associates, increased other income, and lower zakat and tax expenses. This came despite higher operating and finance costs.

Revenue grew 16.32 percent to SR253.16 million, supported by new projects and stronger returns from ongoing operations. Shares of Saudi Azm closed at SR25.12, down 1.09 percent.

Saudi Fisheries Co. announced board approval to establish a limited liability company with 100 percent ownership and a capital of SR100,000. Its stock ended the session at SR92.50, up 0.38 percent.

Meanwhile, Tabuk Agricultural Development Co. disclosed it had signed a SR5 million contract with East Asia Agricultural Development and Investment Co. for onion crop production, sales, and marketing. The 10-month agreement is expected to positively impact the company鈥檚 2026 financial results. Shares of Tabuk closed at SR9.69, down 0.10 percent.


UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1

UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1
Updated 14 September 2025

UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1

UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1

RIYADH: The UAE鈥檚 hospitality sector continues to show robust growth, with hotel establishments welcoming more than 16.1 million guests in the first six months of 2025, marking a 5.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the Emirates News Agency, WAM, reported, citing Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri.
Speaking at the third meeting of the Hospitality Advisory Council for 2025, Al-Marri highlighted the sector鈥檚 strong performance as a testament to its resilience and competitiveness. 
鈥淭hanks to the wise leadership鈥檚 directives, our hospitality sector continues to achieve increasing growth rates, reflecting its attractiveness at both regional and global levels,鈥 he said.
The council, which included representatives from both public and private sectors as well as directors of major national and international hotel chains, reviewed key performance indicators for the first half of the year and discussed initiatives to further develop the industry.
Data presented during the meeting showed that the total number of hotel nights reached 56 million, a 7.3 percent increase over H1 2024. The average length of stay was 3.5 nights, with 1,243 hotel establishments in the UAE offering more than 216,000 rooms.
Al-Marri emphasized that the sector鈥檚 success is the result of close public-private sector collaboration, which underpins the sustainability and competitiveness of the UAE鈥檚 tourism landscape.


黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽

黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽
Updated 14 September 2025

黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽

黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources processed 524 requests for chemical clearance services in August, underscoring the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts to boost industrial investment and streamline regulatory processes. 

The requests included 510 permits for importing unrestricted chemical materials and 14 applications for importing restricted substances, the ministry said on social media platform X, adding that 838 export permit requests were also submitted during the same period. 

The chemical clearance service is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate access to critical raw materials, supporting the growth of 黑料社区鈥檚 industrial sector. 

Mohammed Al-Kharaj, director general of industrial and mineral licenses at the ministry, said the chemical clearance service enables industrial investors to apply for import or export permits for chemical substances through the comprehensive industrial services platform. 

He explained that the service aims to streamline clearance procedures for chemical substances and provide a fully electronic process for industrial facilities, ensuring smooth and timely operations. 

Al-Kharaj stressed that the service enhances competitiveness in the chemical sector and contributes to strengthening its role in supporting the national economy. 

He added that chemical clearance services form part of the ministry鈥檚 digital transformation strategy, which focuses on improving operational efficiency and simplifying procedures for investors, thereby creating a more attractive investment environment in the Kingdom. 

According to the ministry, these measures reflect its commitment to enabling industrial facilities to access essential raw materials and chemical inputs in a timely manner. It said this plays a key role in supporting the growth and expansion of 黑料社区鈥檚 industrial ecosystem. 

黑料社区鈥檚 industrial sector has shown steady growth in recent months, driven particularly by the chemicals segment. The Kingdom鈥檚 industrial output in July rose significantly, with the chemicals sub-sector alone increasing by about 8.9 percent year over year. 

In 2024, manufacturing sectors expanded by 4.7 percent, with the output of chemicals and chemical products forming part of that growth, along with refined petroleum goods and coke. 

These improvements are occurring in the context of broader government policies like the standardized industrial incentives program, which aims to boost competitiveness, attract high-value investment, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for manufacturing and chemicals.  


Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽

Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽
Updated 14 September 2025

Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽

Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽

JEDDAH: Oman's non-oil exports rose 9.1 percent in the first half of 2025, climbing to 3.26 billion rials ($8.48 billion), as the Sultanate鈥檚 diversification efforts gained traction despite a sharp decline in its trade surplus, preliminary data showed. 

The country鈥檚 trade surplus dropped 34.3 percent to 3.09 billion rials by the end of June, down from 4.70 billion rials in the same period last year. The decrease was largely attributed to a 16.1 percent fall in oil and gas exports, which amounted to 7.42 billion rials, compared with 8.85 billion rials in the first half of 2024, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information. 

Oman鈥檚 Vision 2040 strategy is driving structural reforms aimed at reducing the economy鈥檚 reliance on hydrocarbons and fostering private sector growth. The government has promoted investments and eased regulations to strengthen non-oil sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, and services. 

鈥淭otal merchandise exports fell 9.5 percent to 11.499 billion rials, while re-exports decreased 5.9 percent to 815 million rials. Non-oil merchandise exports grew to 3.26 billion rials, up from 2.989 billion rials in the same period last year,鈥 the Oman News Agency reported, citing the NCSI. 

It added: 鈥淭he data showed that the total value of merchandise imports into the Sultanate of Oman rose 5.1 percent to 8.411 billion rials by the end of June 2025, compared with 8.004 billion rials in the same period of 2024.鈥 

The UAE led Oman鈥檚 non-oil trade, with exports reaching 593 million rials, a 29.8 percent increase from the first half of 2024. The UAE also ranked first in receiving Omani re-exports, valued at 348 million rials, and was the top source of Oman鈥檚 imports at 1.98 billion rials. 

黑料社区 followed as the second-largest destination for Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports at 538 million rials, with India third at 335 million rials.  

In re-exports, Iran came second at 129 million rials and 黑料社区 third at 57 million rials. China and Kuwait were the second and third-largest sources of imports at 854 million rials and 795 million rials, respectively. 

In late 2024, oil and gas exports surged 22 percent year on year to 12.40 billion rials, supported by a 7.6 percent rise in crude oil and a 151.6 percent jump in refined oil exports, offsetting a 7 percent drop in liquefied natural gas, according to an NCSI report. 

Meanwhile, total merchandise exports grew 10 percent to 18.24 billion rials, and imports climbed 10.9 percent to 12.17 billion rials. However, non-oil exports contracted 14.1 percent to 4.53 billion rials, dragged down by a 27.3 percent decline in mineral products, even as plastics and rubber shipments rose 6.9 percent. 

Re-exports expanded 18.1 percent to 1.3 billion rials, supported by transport equipment, food, and mineral goods.