Saudi customs exemption on selected goods now effective

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Military Industries has announced the appointment of Thamer M. Al-Muhid as its new chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, according to a statement released on Thursday.

The decision was confirmed during a meeting of SAMI’s board of directors, chaired by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Al-Muhid brings extensive expertise in driving organizational transformation, operational excellence, and international expansion.

His diverse background encompasses strategic initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, research and development, and forging key international partnerships—all of which equip him to lead SAMI into a new phase of growth and innovation.

Before his appointment, Al-Muhid served as group CEO and managing director of Saudi Chemical Co. Holding, and has held senior leadership roles at prominent organizations such as SABIC, Almarai, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Replacing Walid Abu Khaled, Al-Muhid will oversee the company’s efforts to advance cutting-edge technologies, produce world-class defense products, and strengthen strategic partnerships.

His leadership is expected to expedite Public Investment Fund-owned SAMI’s progress toward achieving its ambitious objectives, including localizing 50 percent of the Kingdom’s defense spending and fostering national talent in the defense sector.

This appointment underscores SAMI’s ongoing commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in defense manufacturing and innovation.

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, flyadeal, has joined the International Air Transport Association, marking a significant step in its regional and global expansion while supporting the Kingdom’s growing aviation sector.

On Jan. 29, flyadeal’s management welcomed an IATA delegation, led by Kamil Al-Awadhi, the regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, to celebrate the milestone at the airline’s headquarters in Jeddah.

In November, flyadeal earned IATA’s Operational Safety Audit certification, the highest safety accreditation in the airline industry.

This thorough evaluation examines an airline’s operational safety, ensuring it adheres to the most rigorous standards, covering areas like aircraft engineering, maintenance, flight operations, cabin services, ground handling, cargo, and security.

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its aviation sector as part of the Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond fossil fuels, boost the private sector, and enhance global connectivity.

The country aims to accommodate 330 million passengers by 2030, serve over 250 destinations, and transport 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo.

Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, expressed his pride in joining IATA, an association that has long represented the airline industry with a unified voice.

“Since our founding in 2017, our growth has been rapid, with operational safety as a top priority. Becoming an IATA member was a natural next step for us,” he said.

Greenway also highlighted flyadeal’s new position alongside Saudia, the full-service airline that has been a longstanding IATA member.

“As Saudia and IATA celebrate their 80th anniversaries this year, we are proud to be part of this milestone,” he added.

Al-Awadhi also celebrated the addition of flyadeal to IATA, noting that their membership reflects the airline’s significant role in Saudi Arabia’s aviation expansion.

“Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides in developing a world-class aviation sector,” he said. “flyadeal’s inclusion further demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering sustainable industry growth.”

He also praised the government’s ambitious vision for aviation and reaffirmed IATA’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s strategy to grow a thriving aviation industry that benefits travelers, businesses, and the economy.

flyadeal, which plans to carry more than 75,000 pilgrims on dedicated international charters during this year’s Hajj season, operates from key hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

It offers nearly 30 year-round and seasonal destinations within Saudi Arabia, as well as select cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

The airline’s fleet includes 36 Airbus A320 aircraft, and it plans to significantly expand its network over the next 12 months as part of a major international growth initiative.