Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the 2026 Airports Forum as the Middle East enters a period of major investment, technological development and infrastructure expansion across the aviation sector.

The forum will take place on November 30 and December 1, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. It will feature four concurrent conferences covering global aviation issues, investment, airport design and construction, and women’s participation in aviation.

The event comes amid rapid growth in the region’s aviation infrastructure. According to the latest Airports Council International (ACI) data cited by organisers, airport development spending across the Middle East has reached around $180 billion, while air connectivity in the region is expected to increase by 21% in 2025.

The forum programme will examine issues including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced air mobility, airport investment, smart infrastructure, sustainability, passenger experience and future workforce requirements.

Global aviation issues

The Global Aviation Issues Conference will focus on airport security, air traffic management and emerging technologies affecting aviation operations.

Sessions will examine artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, passenger and baggage screening, operational resilience and workforce development. Discussions will also cover airspace capacity, automation, international coordination and the integration of drones and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Participating organisations include the International Civil Aviation Organization, GACA, MATARAT Holding, Riyadh Air, Etihad Airways, IATA, SITA, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the Saudi Civil Aviation Academy.

Investment and financing

The Future of Aviation Investment Conference on November 30 will examine financing requirements for the next phase of aviation development in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, discussions will cover public-private partnerships, airport concession models, investor confidence and infrastructure investment. The programme will also examine capital trends across airports, airlines, air cargo, aircraft leasing and maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

Sustainable aviation finance, green bonds, ESG-linked investment and funding opportunities for eVTOL and drone infrastructure will also feature.

Organisations taking part include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Saudi Arabia, daa International, Sofia Airport, the National Center for Privatization & PPP, Oman Airports and Avilis.

Airport design and construction

The Airport Design and Construction Conference on December 1 will focus on infrastructure requirements for the aviation sector’s expansion.

Topics will include new airports, terminal development, digital twins, automation and connected passenger journeys. Speakers will also address how airport projects can balance capacity, operational efficiency, sustainability, technology and changing passenger expectations.

The conference will explore the role of local identity in airport design and challenges associated with large-scale developments, including procurement, risk management, phased construction and maintaining airport operations during expansion.

Participants include King Salman International Airport, Gensler, Mott MacDonald, Riyadh Air, Foster + Partners and Grimshaw.

Women and the aviation workforce

The Women in Aviation General Assembly will conclude the forum on December 1, with discussions focused on leadership, workforce development and women’s participation in the aviation industry.

Sessions will examine the role of Saudi Vision 2030 in supporting women in aviation, alongside artificial intelligence, digital transformation, future skills, talent development, gender diversity and career opportunities.

Focus on Hajj aviation operations

The programme will also feature a dedicated session on the management of large-scale Hajj operations at Jeddah airports.

Experts in planning, airport operations, passenger experience, communications and emergency response will discuss the systems and practices used to manage the movement of millions of pilgrims during the annual Hajj season.

Industry dialogue in Riyadh

Daksha Patel, Events Director at Niche Ideas, said the aviation industry was undergoing significant changes across airport financing, infrastructure, technology, operations and workforce development.

She said the Airports Forum would bring together international industry figures and potential partners to exchange knowledge, address common challenges and explore opportunities linked to the region’s aviation expansion.

As Saudi Arabia continues to pursue its aviation objectives under Vision 2030, organisers said the four conferences will provide a platform for decision-makers and specialists in investment, technology, operations, design, policy and talent development.

The event is also expected to bring aviation leaders, investors and experts to Riyadh to discuss regional and global developments and potential areas for cooperation.

Source: AJEL.SA

The mountain valleys of Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Region offer visitors a mix of rugged terrain, natural forests, rock formations and agricultural landscapes. Among these destinations, Wadi Qura in Baish Governorate stands out for its green farmland, scenic mountain views and rural atmosphere.

Agriculture remains central to the valley’s landscape and local heritage. Fertile soil has supported farming communities for generations, with cultivated fields stretching along the valley’s banks. Following rainfall, the surrounding land becomes greener, highlighting the area's natural beauty and its longstanding connection to agriculture.

The valley is particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts during the rainy season and periods of mild weather. Its open spaces and natural surroundings provide opportunities to explore the landscape, enjoy time outdoors and experience a quieter alternative to crowded urban destinations.

With its combination of agricultural heritage and mountain scenery, Wadi Qura offers visitors an opportunity to discover the rural character and natural attractions of the Jazan Region.

Source: SPA

The governorate features agricultural plains, valleys, traditional villages, coastal areas, heritage sites and local markets. These attractions, alongside ongoing development initiatives, offer a variety of recreational opportunities and contribute to Samtah’s growing prominence as a tourism destination within Jazan Region.

Jazan Municipality, through Samtah Municipality and the municipalities of Al-Suhay and Al-Qafal, has undertaken 156 completed and ongoing projects valued at a combined SAR1.628 billion. The initiatives aim to modernise infrastructure, improve urban aesthetics and raise the quality of municipal services.

Of the total, 89 projects have been completed at a cost of SAR822 million, while 67 projects worth SAR806 million remain underway.

The projects cover road construction and paving, sidewalk development, street lighting, rainwater and floodwater drainage systems, and improvements to gardens, parks and municipal facilities. Additional development and service initiatives are also included in the programme.

The investments are expected to improve the capacity of Samtah and the centres of Al-Suhay and Al-Qafal to accommodate tourists and holidaymakers. By upgrading public infrastructure and services, the projects also aim to create a more supportive environment for tourism and investment.

The initiative seeks to make better use of the governorate’s natural scenery, coastal locations and cultural heritage, further reinforcing its role in Jazan Region’s tourism development.

Source: SPA

Located about 80 kilometers from Jizan city, Wadi Dhahaya in the Balghazi Mountains of Al-Aydabi Governorate is emerging as a notable destination for rural tourism, known for its agricultural terraces, seasonal waterfalls and rich plant life.

The valley stretches through rugged mountain terrain, surrounded by green terraces, traditional stone-built settlements and streams that flow seasonally. During periods of rainfall, water cascading down the slopes combines with mist-covered peaks and terraced hills to create striking landscapes that attract eco-tourists and photographers.

The centuries-old agricultural terraces also reflect the traditional farming practices of local mountain communities. Farmers carved productive plots into steep slopes, creating cultivable land across otherwise challenging terrain.

Wadi Dhahaya is also an important habitat for wild Dhahyan trees, which support the production of the region’s prized Dhahyan honey. Sidr, acacia and juniper trees are also found throughout the area.

The combination of natural scenery, access to local beekeeping activities and the region’s agricultural heritage is helping strengthen Wadi Dhahaya’s potential as an agrotourism destination while supporting the wider development of rural tourism in the area.

Source: SPA

Saudi Arabia and Nicaragua have signed a bilateral air transport services agreement to strengthen cooperation and expand ties in the civil aviation sector.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Riyadh by GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej.

The agreement provides a legal and regulatory framework for air transport services between the two countries, with the aim of supporting safe, orderly and efficient operations while enhancing cooperation in civil aviation.

The accord forms part of GACA’s broader efforts to expand international aviation partnerships and develop regulatory frameworks governing air transport.

It also supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Program, which seeks to strengthen international air connectivity and improve the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s aviation sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Source: SPA

The Jeddah Corniche and ROSHN Waterfront have attracted visitors attending the 27th edition of the Gulf Cup, known as Khaleeji 27, providing fans with opportunities to unwind between matches while experiencing Jeddah’s Red Sea coastline.

ROSHN Waterfront has welcomed visitors from across the Gulf, offering a coastal promenade, open seating areas and dedicated routes for walking, jogging and cycling. Its sandy beaches and landscaped green spaces also provide areas for families and individuals to relax throughout the day.

Stretching for more than 4.5 kilometers along the Red Sea, the waterfront is among Jeddah’s prominent leisure and tourism destinations. It features seven entertainment zones, various public services and facilities, children’s areas, and spaces for sports and recreational activities.

The destination can accommodate more than 120,000 visitors at a time and includes extensive beaches and green areas designed for leisure and relaxation.

ROSHN Waterfront also holds a Guinness World Records title for the longest pavement painting. Covering 16,000 square meters, the artwork was produced by Saudi artists and volunteers through a joint initiative involving ROSHN Group, the Volunteering and Community Partnership Program “Lenobadir” and the Social Responsibility Association in Jeddah.

Visitors attending the tournament have highlighted the waterfront’s combination of modern facilities, entertainment and natural surroundings. Its views of the Red Sea and art installations along the promenade have also made it a popular location for photography and experiencing Jeddah’s coastal atmosphere.

Source: SPA