Our Scans · Riyadh · Weekly Summary

• [New] Property prices in Riyadh have increased by 8.4% for apartments and 10.3% for villas compared to last year, driven by Vision 2030 developments and strong demand from local and international buyers. Sands Of Wealth
• [New] The A350 - 1000 aircraft, to be powered by the Trent XWB-97 engines, will help grow Riyadh Air's network to the furthest corners of the globe, adding range and capacity that will ensure that Riyadh, a G20 capital city, will be fully connected to the world, realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Aerotime
• [New] Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's ambitious new national carrier, has been forced to postpone its highly anticipated launch due to ongoing delays in the delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. AviationSource News
• [New] While efforts by Riyadh to increase its domestic solar power manufacturing industry through cooperation with China may be possible, it risks prompting Washington to extend the most recent tariffs to include Saudi Arabia. Global Policy Journal
• In preparation for the Riyadh Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia is making substantial investments in key cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, focusing on expanding infrastructure, upgrading transportation networks and developing world-class stadiums and hospitality facilities. PwC
• Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning Riyadh as a global hub for arbitration, leveraging comprehensive legal reforms, technological advancements, and strategic initiatives aligned with its Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda. ArabNews
• Jeddah offers higher rental yields, reaching 8-10% per year, which is significantly better than what investors can expect in Riyadh. Sands Of Wealth
• Riyadh is becoming increasingly important for business travel due to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the economy (source: Pangea Mobility). LibertyOnDemand
• Riyadh Air plans to implement AI-powered virtual assistants for both customer and employee self-service, developed using IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI-enhanced delivery platform. Bizclik Media Ltd
• Riyadh, after establishing the Saudi Space Commission in 2018 to stimulate space-related research and industrial activities, earmarked US$ 2.1 billion by 2030 to support its space industry within the framework of the Saudi Vision 2030. ISPI
• Riyadh Air will have a dedicated team to proactively maintain the cabin interiors and fix snags as close to real-time as possible. Skift
• Riyadh Air, supported by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, is positioning itself as a major player in the aviation industry with plans to connect 100 global destinations by 2030. Skift
• Office space in Riyadh is expected to increase by a further 889,000 square metres in 2025, almost three times more than in 2024, as both foreign and domestic businesses expand their presence in the Saudi capital. AGBI
• The PIF's investment was part of Saudi efforts to grow the Arab country's tourist sector to reach 150 million visitors a year by 2030 under Riyadh's Vision 2030 plan. Informed Comment
• Governments from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi are enacting long-term strategies (e.g. Saudi's Vision 2030, UAE's Vision 2071) that prioritize financial sector development, innovation, and private investment. Sly Academy - Online Learning Platform with Free Educat
• Esports can expect a continued influx of capital from Saudi Arabia as the Esports World Cup returns to Riyadh in 2025. UC News
• With IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI-powered delivery platform, Riyadh Air will deploy AI solutions to boost efficiency and service, including AI-powered Virtual Assistants for customer and employee self-service. IBM Newsroom
• The Saudi Arabian government's Vision 2030, focused on economic diversification and modernization, prioritizes infrastructure development and fire safety measures, potentially increasing demand for fire pumps in Riyadh. Yahoo Finance
• Riyadh Air - The highly anticipated new airline is set to launch in late 2025, promising to transform Saudi Arabia into a global aviation hub. Travel And Tour World
• The state-of-the-art fleet of Riyadh Air and its ambition to build a seamless global hub in Riyadh might offer Indian passengers attractive choices for one-stop connections to various destinations around the world. Aviation a2z
• The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, announced today by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as UNCCD COP 16 host, will leverage public and private finance to support 80 of the most vulnerable and drought-hit countries around the world. UNCCD
• GCC analyst at Riyadh-based Gulf State Analytics, The Trump administration will aim to re-energize Saudi-Israeli normalization talks and offer security guarantees for Saudi Arabia to help broker a deal. The Media Line
• Riyadh is unlikely to actively lobby the US to halt tough measures against Iran, but its influence in Tehran will give it space to engage both parties. European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)

Last updated: 26 June 2025