JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier Saudia reported a 16 percent year-on-year rise in its international passenger numbers in 2024, reaching 20 million, highlighting its growth and operational success.

Saudia also reported an 18 percent increase in transit guests compared to the previous year, surpassing 9.3 million passengers, according to its performance report statement, released on Jan. 23.

The growth reflects the carrier’s efforts to strengthen global connections to the Kingdom, supporting the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in tourism, entertainment, sports, and the Muslim Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

According to the International Air Transport Association, the Middle East’s air travel market continued its strong recovery in November, with passenger demand increasing by 8.9 percent compared to the same month in 2023.

While this growth was robust, it was slightly ahead of the global trend, which saw an 8.1 percent increase in total passenger demand.

The region’s performance was part of a broader international trend, where the Middle East, alongside Europe and Asia-Pacific, led the way in demand growth. However, airlines in the region continue to face challenges in aircraft supply, preventing them from fully meeting growing demand and improving their services, IATA said in a statement released earlier this month.

Major international markets in the Middle East experienced a notable increase in traffic demand, driven by the strong performance of the region’s largest aviation hubs, despite some countries facing challenges from geopolitical conflicts, according to IATA.

Ibrahim Al-Omar, the director general of Saudia Group, said that success in the competitive aviation industry requires a continuously evolving strategy, adding that the airline remains committed to achieving sustainable operational excellence while upholding the highest international standards.

“This remarkable growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Saudia’s employees and the strategic optimization of our aircraft fleet to deliver exceptional service. We have also made significant strides in enhancing our services and enriching the overall guest experience,” he said.

In its report, Saudia said that it carried 35 million guests throughout 2024, reflecting a 15 percent year-on-year increase.

The airline reported operating 193,000 scheduled and additional flights last year, reflecting a 10 percent increase from the year before, adding that it also achieved an 8.5 percent rise in flight hours, totaling over 581,000, while maintaining an on-time performance rate of 89.1 percent, marking a 2.7 percent improvement.

The company’s customer satisfaction metric showed a 32.7 score, reflecting a 4.5 percent increase compared to 2023, according to the statement.

Saudia said it saw a notable increase in guest engagement through modern technologies as part of its ongoing digital transformation. It noted a 40 percent rise in usage of the Saudia app, while the Government Digital Wallet, GovClick, drove an impressive 324 percent growth in digital service adoption.

The company’s futuristic plans include strengthening its operational model, particularly during peak travel seasons, by expanding its fleet, increasing seat capacity, and broadening its global network.

With a current fleet of 147 aircraft, the airline aims to add 118 new planes in the coming years as part of its growth strategy.

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council banks are projected to issue over $30 billion in US dollar-denominated debt in 2025, following a record $42 billion in 2024, Fitch Ratings said in a new report. 

The surge in debt issuance is set to be driven by nearly $23 billion in maturing debt, lower US dollar interest rates, and strong regional credit demand, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

This comes as GCC banks accounted for 18 percent of total US dollar debt issuance by emerging-market banks in 2024, with this figure rising to 36 percent if Chinese banks are excluded. Favorable global financing conditions, supported by high oil prices expected to stay around $70 per barrel in 2025, are expected to continue to bolster investor confidence in the region. 

“We expect Saudi banks’ US dollar debt issuance to continue representing a high proportion of overall GCC issuance given the country’s strong credit growth outlook, especially in the corporate segment, and the banks’ increased use of external funding due to high competition for liquidity locally,” stated Fitch Ratings. 

Last year, GCC banks broke their previous debt issuance record of $25.6 billion set in 2020. This increase was largely attributed to strong credit growth in Saudi Arabia, banks’ efforts to diversify funding sources, and high debt maturities. The issuance of certificates of deposits alone totaled $8.6 billion, benefiting from investor optimism and the region’s economic stability, the report noted. 

Saudi and UAE banks were the leading issuers, each accounting for around a third of total GCC debt issuance. Saudi banks, in particular, have become active in international debt markets since 2020, using external funding to support aggressive growth strategies, diversify funding bases, and meet rising foreign currency demands. 

Short-term CDs were a key instrument in GCC banks’ debt strategies in 2024, accounting for about 21 percent of total debt issuance. Key financial hubs such as New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore facilitated much of this activity, broadening investor bases and enhancing liquidity options. 

The report noted that Islamic finance stayed strong, with sukuk issuance accounting for nearly half of the total 2024 issuance, excluding CDs. The growth in sukuk highlights its appeal to shariah-compliant investors and competitive pricing that makes it an attractive funding instrument for regional banks. 

Fitch expects Saudi banks to maintain a dominant share of GCC debt issuance in 2025, driven by strong credit growth in the corporate sector and increasing competition for local liquidity. 

In 2025, GCC banks will face substantial debt maturities, with Qatari banks expected to account for one-third of the $23 billion due. Saudi and UAE banks will each represent about a quarter of the maturing debt. 

Despite global economic uncertainties, Fitch stated that GCC banks are expected to leverage their solid credit ratings and favorable economic conditions to secure advantageous financing terms. 

Sukuk issuance is expected to grow further as banks tap into the expanding pool of shariah-compliant investors. Fitch said the continued use of short-term instruments like CDs will provide banks with greater flexibility in managing funding needs and expanding their global investor base. 

Additionally, GCC banks are expected to issue $2.2 billion in additional Tier 1 instruments with first call dates in 2025, followed by $3.1 billion in 2026. This will further support debt issuance, as most GCC bank AT1s are likely to be called due to favorable financing conditions. 

AT1 issuance reached $5 billion in 2024, up from $1.7 billion in 2023, marking the highest level since 2021. This surge was driven mainly by Saudi banks. 

As GCC banks continue to play a key role in regional economic growth, their strategic debt issuance and diversified funding solutions are expected to drive further financial stability and market confidence in 2025.