Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip

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In a memorable viral image, a man takes a selfie next to a group of children giving the retired aircraft a salute on its final journey. (Supplied/X)
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Updated 14 September 2024
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Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip

  • 850 km journey sparked social media campaign to capture the unusual sight

JEDDAH: Stunning images of three retired airplanes mounted atop trailer trucks being transported from Jeddah to Riyadh has created a buzz on social media.

From a man enjoying gahwa on a traditional carpet on the side of the road to a group of young children giving the aircraft a salute on its final journey, the images are capturing a new turn in the life of the aircraft.




People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)

The airplanes, which were retired from Saudia Airlines between 2016 and 2017, were transported under tight security, covering a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.

Large crowds of locals gathered to witness the unusual sight. During their former service with Saudia, the Boeing 777-200ER models carried 341 passengers in three-class cabins.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Saudi General Entertainment Authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, ‘Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,’ to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.

• They covered a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.

According to the General Entertainment Authority, five retired aircraft in total will be converted into shops and restaurants and used for staging interactive experiences for adults and children as part of the Boulevard Runway project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Saudia Airlines.

The authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, “Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,” to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.




People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)

The campaign encourages locals to share images of the aircraft throughout the road trip.

Alalshik also launched a competition, with a luxury car as the prize, for the best photograph of the planes.

Many people who learned about the final voyage gathered on the side of the highway to Riyadh.

“We have seen large airplanes transporting trucks and vehicles from one place to another, but here we have videos and photos where a truck is actually carrying airplanes. It is not something that we normally see on our roads,” said Ahmed Al-Shalaan from Riyadh on X.

The ferrying of the aircraft has led to some memorable moments caught on camera as people documented their encounters with the unusual motorcade. It also created traffic jams as motorists driving down the highways were awestruck at the sight of the planes.

Many slowed down and some stopped to take photographs and selfies with the aircraft in the background.

“This is quite a unique experience, which we rarely see in our lifetime. I think that is why people are crowding to see it,” said Abdulsalam Al-Ahmad from Madinah on X.

On Thursday, residents in Umm Aldome in Taif were treated to an unusual sight as the aircraft arrived in their small town and a special breakfast was organized for the drivers in celebration of their arrival.

Abdullah Al-Omair, a local, said on X: “It is a historical day here in Umm Aldome and we are so happy to see the giant aircraft passing by our town.”

Hajjaj Al-Zahrani, head of the transporting team, spoke to media in the town and said: “This journey has been amazing and what we have witnessed on the road was incredibly amazing.

“Residents of all cities we have been through have been very generous with us and they did everything to make the journey easy for us.”

 


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

  • Kingdom’s foreign ministry said the move would violate international laws

RIYADH: A government minister’s threat for Israel to apply full sovereignty over the occupied West Bank was strongly condemned by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom “condemned and denunciated” the statement made by the Israeli official calling for the imposition of sovereignty over the Palestinian territory.

Such action would be a violation of international law, the statement said. Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements on Palestinian land, the ministry added, while reiterating the Kingdom’s position on the importance of Israel abiding by international resolutions.

The statement followed comments from Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin saying “the time has come” for Israel to apply sovereignty across the West Bank.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967 and has built dozens of settlements, deemed illegal under international law, across the territory.

The Saudi foreign ministry offered its support for the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights and in establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 


Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 88,518 Anker portable chargers across multiple models due to a potential internal electrical short circuit that may cause overheating and pose a fire risk.

The ministry urged consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and contact Anker at the toll-free number 8008500030 to arrange a replacement or full refund, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Consumers can check if their device is included in the recall and start the replacement or refund process by visiting anker.com/mmrc2506.

Users are also advised to verify the model number of their charger against the list of affected products on the Defective Products Recall Center website ecalls.sa.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety and stressed the importance of promptly addressing product defects to prevent potential hazards.


GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Updated 02 July 2025
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GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi participated in the 39th Meeting of the Directors-General of Passports of the GCC countries, held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, he reviewed the latest developments, including the Gulf visa project.

The passport departments of the interior ministries of GCC countries, through a series of joint meetings, are making efforts to launch a unified tourist visa project in the near future, the General Secretariat said in a report.

“Everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterised by rapid change,” Albudaiwi said.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The latest regional and international developments were also discussed. 


Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement

  • Trade volume between Kingdom, Japan reached $36bn in 2024
  • Saudi team oversees and monitors progress of trade negotiations

TOKYO: Farid bin Saeed Al-Asali, the General Authority for Foreign Trade’s deputy governor for international agreements and organizations, is in Tokyo to lead the Kingdom’s delegation in the second round of negotiations on the free trade agreement between the GCC and Japan, which began on June 30 and will run until July 4.

According to GAFT, the Saudi negotiating team includes nine technical teams focused on goods, services, investment, e-commerce, intellectual property, and government procurement.

Comprising 46 government agencies, the teams prepare the Kingdom’s positions on negotiations and proposals within the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements, and submit relevant reports to the negotiating team.

In 2024, the trade volume between Saudi Arabia and Japan reached about $36 billion. The most significant exports from the Kingdom were mineral products and organic chemical products. In contrast, the primary imports from Japan included automobiles and automotive components, as well as machinery and mechanical tools.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s exports totaled about $28 billion, while imports amounted to around $8 billion.

The Saudi team oversees and monitors the progress of trade negotiations to ensure they align with the Kingdom’s trade objectives and policies. Additionally, the team participates in the negotiations to incorporate the Kingdom’s positions, making their role integral to the process.

The General Authority for Foreign Trade aims to enhance trade gains, strengthen global presence, and engage with international organizations for sustainable development. The authority plays a crucial role in negotiations, representing the Kingdom’s interests and ensuring trade agreements align with its objectives.