Samer Choucair: Riyadh Air Leads a New Phase of Investment in Tourism and Logistics Services
Investment entrepreneur Samer Choucair affirmed that Riyadh Air's announcement of adding three new destinations to its international network represents a strategic step reflecting the accelerating implementation of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 targets, noting that this expansion isn't limited to increasing flights, but opens broad investment horizons in aviation, tourism, logistics services, and real estate sectors.
He explained that the circulating image of Riyadh Air's dark blue aircraft, bearing the name "RIYADH" and the Saudi flag, has become a symbol of the transformation underway in the Kingdom's aviation sector, affirming that this development reflects the maturity of the investment environment and the accelerating growth of non-oil sectors.
*Expansion Strengthens Air Connectivity and Supports Tourism Growth*
Choucair noted that adding the three new destinations comes at a time when the Saudi aviation sector continues achieving strong growth rates.
He added that the number of passengers through Saudi airports exceeded 110 million passengers last year, with expectations of air traffic rising at a rate ranging between 9% and 12% during 2026, driven by increasing international flights and expanding capacity at both King Khalid International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport.
He affirmed that this expansion in air connectivity supports the Kingdom's targets of increasing visitor numbers, and strengthens growth in leisure tourism, business tourism, and religious tourism, directly reflecting on economic activity.
*Samer Choucair: The Expansion Represents a Long-Term Investment Opportunity*
Choucair said that adding three new destinations to Riyadh Air's network represents a clear indicator of the success of the Kingdom's strategy in building an integrated aviation ecosystem.
He explained that the strategic investor doesn't view this step as merely operational expansion, but sees it as a long-term investment opportunity, noting that hospitality, tourist real estate, and logistics services sectors will be among the biggest beneficiaries over the next eighteen months.
He added that continued non-oil GDP growth at rates exceeding 4% during 2026 strengthens the appeal of investing in companies and funds tied to tourism and aviation sectors, particularly amid continued rising travel demand.
*Where the Opportunities Lie*
Choucair affirmed that the Saudi aviation sector's expansion creates investment opportunities extending to many economic activities, most notably the hospitality and tourist real estate sector, with expected rising demand for hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments in Riyadh, Jeddah, and cities tied to the new destinations; logistics services and supply chains, as a result of increasing shipping, transport, and distribution activity; travel tech companies, offering digital solutions for travelers and trip management; and infrastructure projects tied to developing airports and supporting facilities, offering opportunities for investors and specialized institutions.
*Indirect Investment Achieves Added Value*
Choucair noted that investment opportunities aren't limited to airlines alone, but also extend to listed companies offering services tied to the sector or possessing real estate assets in promising tourist areas.
He explained that investors should focus on companies with high operational quality and sustainable growth strategies, instead of seeking quick short-term gains.
*Samer Choucair's Advice for Investors*
Choucair affirmed that benefiting from the expected growth in the aviation sector requires a balanced investment strategy, including allocating part of investment portfolios to sectors tied to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 targets, led by tourism, entertainment, and logistics services; following the performance of listed companies directly tied to aviation and hospitality sectors; studying investment in exchange-traded funds and investment products focused on infrastructure and tourism; and maintaining geographic and sectoral diversification of investment portfolios, while considering the Saudi economy one of the most prominent growth drivers in the region.
*Aviation Leads a New Phase of Growth*
He concluded his analysis by affirming that Riyadh Air's expansion through adding three new destinations reflects the continued progress in implementing the Kingdom's Vision 2030 targets, and confirms that the aviation sector has become one of the main drivers of economic growth.
He added that investment opportunities in this sector rest on strong economic fundamentals, including infrastructure expansion, increasing travel movement, and tourism growth, noting that the investor who possesses a strategic vision and understands the market's deep shifts will be best positioned to benefit from this historic transformation in the Saudi economy.