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Etihad to Launch Seasonal Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg Flights in December |📷WAM ABU DHABI, August 12 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Etihad Airways will launch a seasonal service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, with four flights a week operating until March 21, 2027. The route will provide the first direct air connection between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, with onward connections available through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub. Flights will be operated using

Italy imposes one-month border checks on arrivals from Spain after Ceuta crisis ROME, July 31 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Italy will temporarily reinstate border checks on travellers arriving from Spain by air and sea after more than 50,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The suspension of passport-free Schengen travel between the two countries will remain in place for one month, Italy’s Interior Ministry said on Friday. Border police will

Al-Baha’s Cool Summer Evenings Drive Tourism and Local Business Activity | 📷SPA AL-BAHA, July 22, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Al-Baha Region is attracting growing numbers of visitors during the summer season, with its cool climate, forests, parks and mountain landscapes supporting increased tourism after sunset. Mild evening temperatures encourage visitors to plan outdoor activities later in the day, when public parks, forest areas, walkways and tourist attractions record h

Air France Suspends Flights to Riyadh and Dubai as Regional Security Deteriorates PARIS, July 20, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Air France suspended flights to Riyadh and Dubai on Monday as the security situation across the Middle East continued to deteriorate. Flights to and from Riyadh will remain suspended through July 25, while services to and from Dubai have been halted through July 28, the airline said. Air France also extended its suspension of Beirut services until Aug

Mleiha National Park Shortlisted for Middle East Travel Award SHARJAH, July 16, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Mleiha National Park has been shortlisted for the “Middle East’s Leading National Park 2026” title at the 33rd World Travel Awards. The Sharjah destination is competing against four other protected national parks from across the Middle East and is the only UAE representative in the category. Mleiha is located within the core area of the Al Faya Landscape, a UNESCO Worl

Saudia to Launch Direct Riyadh-Tokyo Flights in November 2026 RIYADH, July 15, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Saudia will launch direct flights between Riyadh and Tokyo in November 2026, adding Japan to the national carrier’s expanding international network. The new route will operate three times per week from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Tickets are now available through Saudia’s digital platforms and authorized sales outlets. The service is being launched in c

EASA Tells Airlines to Avoid Airspace Over Four Gulf States Until July 29 COLOGNE, July 14, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advised airlines on Tuesday to avoid flying over Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates amid renewed security risks across the Gulf. The advisory also covers part of the airspace above the Gulf of Oman, west of longitude 58°E. EASA said the recommendation applies to “all altitudes and flight levels” and

Emirates To Add A380 On Dubai-Delhi Route DUBAI, July 9 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Emirates will introduce its flagship Airbus A380 on the Dubai-Delhi route from October 25, making the Indian capital the airline’s third A380 destination in India. The carrier said the four-class A380 will include Premium Economy. It will operate alongside Emirates’ retrofitted four-class Boeing 777 aircraft on three other daily services to Delhi. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and

Jeddah strengthens summer tourism offering with beaches, events and family activities | 📷SPA JEDDAH, July 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Jeddah is strengthening its position as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading summer tourism destinations through beaches, entertainment events, cultural experiences and shopping offers, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Saudi Summer 2026 programme places emphasis on family-oriented experiences, with activities designed for different age group

Riyadh Air Adds Málaga and Kuala Lumpur to Growing Network RIYADH, July 1 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, announced the addition of Málaga and Kuala Lumpur to its growing network, launching ticket sales for flights linking the two destinations with Riyadh. With the addition of the two destinations, Riyadh Air is preparing to operate flights to eight destinations from Riyadh by Augus

Sakaka heritage farm showcases Al-Jouf’s agricultural and cultural identity | 📷SPA RIYADH, June 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - A licensed heritage farm and park in Sakaka has emerged as a tourism initiative showcasing the agricultural and cultural identity of Al-Jouf Region. Developed by its owner, Ahmed Al-Arfaj, the site preserves long-standing local traditions while offering a modern experiential destination aligned with Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector. The farm

Russia to Restrict Light Aircraft and Drone Flights Around Moscow MOSCOW, June 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Russia is introducing restrictions on flights by light private aircraft and drones in Moscow and surrounding regions, Reuters reported. The measures set a minimum altitude requirement of 5,200 meters, or 17,000 feet, aviation authority Rosaviatsiya announced on Wednesday. The requirement applies to light and ultralight aircraft, as well as drones, placing the permi

flydubai, Cyprus Airways sign interline agreement DUBAI, May 22 — flydubai and Cyprus Airways have signed a new interline agreement to expand international connectivity through Dubai International Airport. The agreement allows passengers to travel on a single itinerary with coordinated baggage handling and streamlined transfers via Dubai. Under the partnership, Cyprus Airways passengers travelling from Larnaca will be able to connect through Dubai to flydubai destinations inc

AROYA Cruises to return to Mediterranean for summer 2026 season (Photography: Courtesy of SPA) JEDDAH, May 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AROYA Cruises, operated by Cruise Saudi and fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, will return to the Mediterranean during the summer 2026 season, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The cruises will depart from Galataport Istanbul, which will serve as AROYA’s main Mediterranean home port. The seven-night routes will include destination

ALULA, May 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AlUla is expanding its seasonal tourism offering with heritage tours, adventure activities and luxury hospitality experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The destination is promoting summer travel from May to August, with temperatures up to 10 degrees cooler than other areas in the region. Visitors can explore Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Jabal Ikmah, known for its ancient inscriptions. AlUla wi

Miraval The Red Sea set to welcome guests with stunning beachfront villas and lush gardens on May 15. RIYADH, May 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Red Sea Global announced that Miraval The Red Sea will begin welcoming guests on May 15, marking the first international expansion of the luxury Miraval brand outside the United States, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The company said the launch reinforces the Red Sea destination’s position as a global tourism hub after occupancy

Photography | Courtesy of SPA JEDDAH, April 30 — Saudia has announced its summer 2026 seasonal destinations, with services scheduled during June, July, August and September to a range of leisure markets across Europe and the region. The destinations include Salalah in Oman, Antalya and Bodrum in Turkey, Nice in France, Athens and Mykonos in Greece, El Alamein in Egypt, and Malaga in Spain. The airline said the seasonal routes were scheduled to match peak travel periods while

WAM RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Etihad Airways will launch five new routes to mainland China and add 28 weekly flights in one of its largest single-market expansions in recent years, as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier deepens its presence across a key trade and travel corridor. The expansion will add services from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen, raising Etihad’s mainland China operation to

SPA JEDDAH, April 11, 2026, Saudi Arabia Breaking News - As late winter gives way to early spring, the desert of the Northern Borders Region is being covered with blooming anemones, known in Arabic as Shaqaiq Al-Numan, in a seasonal scene that highlights the beauty of the desert and its botanical diversity following the rainy season. The Saudi Press Agency observed anemones spreading across several wilderness areas, covering wide stretches of land in bright red and creating s

SPA RIYADH, April 9 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Domestic tourism in Saudi Arabia rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026, with the number of local tourists reaching about 28.9 million, up 16% from a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Tourism. Domestic tourism spending reached SAR34.7 billion during the period, an increase of 8%, while the total number of domestic and international tourists climbed to around 37.2 million, with combined spendi