Diriyah Company has awarded a SAR2.249bn ($600m) contract to Salini Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of the Webuild Group, for the construction of Diriyah Square — a flagship retail district at the heart of the Diriyah masterplan.

Part of the wider “City of Earth” vision, Diriyah Square will feature over 400 retail, dining, and leisure brands within a pedestrian-focused setting that blends modern experiences with Najdi-inspired architecture. The project aims to redefine the retail and lifestyle offering in Diriyah and, more broadly, in Riyadh.

The contract marks Salini’s third major engagement on the Diriyah Square development. The company is currently advancing construction on one of the world’s largest underground car parks, with 10,500 spaces, integrated bus stations, taxi and VIP drop-off zones, and a four-lane underground gyratory road that connects the entire subterranean network. Salini is also nearing completion of structural works for key above-ground assets including hotels, branded residences, offices, and the Grand Mosque.

Under the new contract, Salini will construct 73 buildings across a total built-up area of 365,340 square metres, including 400 shell-and-core retail units. The scope of work includes facades, finishes, and fit-outs. Each structure will reflect traditional Najdi design principles to create an immersive pedestrianised retail environment that celebrates 300 years of cultural heritage.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah awards $2bn contract for mixed-use district

Commenting on the latest milestone, Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “Diriyah Square is one of our most exciting, anticipated, and prestigious districts, and we are extremely pleased to have signed with Salini to deliver it, bringing their immense global experience to the table. It is yet another significant milestone in our development journey and will help set the stage for Diriyah Square’s retail spaces to welcome a diverse array of shoppers from our residential communities, surrounding office spaces, and the millions who visit us every year.”

Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, added: “We are proud to contribute to a project of such symbolic and strategic importance to Saudi Arabia. This will further strengthen our presence in the Kingdom and positively impact both the area and the local community. We are excited about developing this new phase of Diriyah Square, an integral part of an iconic project. The Webuild Group has been present in Saudi Arabia since 1966, delivering more than 90 projects. We remain committed to supporting the Kingdom in developing some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects, particularly in areas such as civil buildings, sustainable mobility, and desalination.”

Commercial anchor

Diriyah Square serves as the commercial anchor of the larger SAR237bn ($63.2bn) Diriyah masterplan. It will connect international luxury brands with regional artisans and offer a mix of retail, cultural, and entertainment experiences. The square will house 400 of the 1,000 total retail outlets envisioned across the 14-square-kilometer development.

With this contract, Diriyah Company has now awarded contracts worth over SAR100bn ($26bn) since inception, including SAR20bn ($5bn) in the first half of 2025 alone.

When fully developed, Diriyah is expected to contribute SAR70bn ($18.6bn) to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, generate close to 180,000 jobs, and become home to around 100,000 residents. It will also feature cultural and entertainment landmarks such as the Royal Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah Arena, museums, a university, the Royal Golf Club, and the Royal Equestrian & Polo Club.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced seven new destinations as part of its continuing strategy to expand point-to-point connectivity and bring more travellers directly to Abu Dhabi.

The new routes include Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bucharest (Romania), Madinah (Saudi Arabia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yerevan (Armenia)—each chosen for its cultural significance, tourism potential, and growing demand for travel.

Read-Etihad launches flight to Atlanta, US; other route announcements

Flights to these destinations will go on sale in the coming days, with services beginning in March 2026. However, Madinah will launch earlier, in November 2025.

Strengthening Abu Dhabi as a global hub

These additions bring Etihad’s total number of new destinations for 2025 to 29, underscoring the airline’s ambition to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a vibrant hub for tourism, culture, and commerce.

“Our goal is clear—we want to bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “These new routes connect us to fast-growing, culturally rich regions and will help stimulate demand for tourism and trade in the UAE’s capital.

“From the spiritual significance of Madinah to the historic charm of Tbilisi and Yerevan, and the modern vibrancy of cities like Baku and Almaty, each destination adds depth to our growing network and attracts travellers with diverse interests.”

Neves added that launching 29 new routes in one year marks a “remarkable milestone” and showcases the airline’s commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi’s growth.

“Whether for business or leisure, guests can expect a seamless journey and world-class hospitality that reflects Etihad’s elevated service. These connections make it easier than ever to experience everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.”

Ongoing route expansion in 2025

So far in 2025, Etihad has celebrated inaugural flights to Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, and Atlanta. An additional 13 new routes are expected before the end of the year, continuing the airline’s aggressive growth strategy.

This announcement also follows Etihad’s recent reveal of three new seasonal summer destinations for 2026: Krakow (Poland), Salalah (Oman), and Kazan (Russia), which will operate during peak travel months.

Destination Highlights

Each new city on Etihad’s network offers unique cultural, historical, and leisure appeal:

• Madinah, Saudi Arabia: One of Islam’s holiest cities, Madinah welcomes travellers with its serene atmosphere, striking architecture, and the revered Prophet’s Mosque, a major pilgrimage site. The city’s expanding infrastructure offers comfort and convenience for spiritual and leisure visitors alike.
• Bucharest, Romania: Romania’s capital combines elegant architecture, vibrant culture, and bustling streets, making it a stylish and energetic destination with distinct Central European charm.
• Tbilisi, Georgia: A city full of old-world charm and modern flair, Tbilisi sits along the Kura River and features colourful balconies, historic sulphur baths, and a thriving arts scene that reflects Georgia’s rich identity.
• Yerevan, Armenia: One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Yerevan is known for its pink stone buildings, wide squares, and dramatic mountain views. Its museums and open-air cafes celebrate Armenian culture and creativity.
• Baku, Azerbaijan: Located on the Caspian Sea, Baku offers an eclectic mix of tradition and innovation—from centuries-old palaces to futuristic skyscrapers. Its seaside promenade and vibrant nightlife are popular with tourists and business travellers alike.
• Almaty, Kazakhstan: A city framed by the Tian Shan mountains, Almaty features tree-lined boulevards, green parks, and access to nearby ski resorts. It blends natural beauty with a modern, cosmopolitan lifestyle.
• Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan’s capital is a city of contrasts, with historic architecture, lively bazaars, and a rapidly modernizing skyline. Tashkent offers a window into Central Asia’s rich heritage and evolving future.

Further Expansion Announced in July

In an earlier announcement on July 2, 2025, Etihad revealed plans for seasonal flights to Kazan, Krakow, and Salalah, expanding its presence in Russia, Poland, and Oman, respectively.

These routes are part of the airline’s strategic push to capture high-demand leisure traffic during summer and winter travel periods.

10.2 million passengers in first half of 2025

Etihad’s network expansion aligns with its strong performance in 2025. The airline transported 1.8 million passengers in June, a 16 per cent increase compared to June 2024. Its load factor rose to 88 per cent, up from 86 per cent the previous year, showing the airline’s ability to match capacity with growing demand.

Etihad’s current fleet of 101 aircraft supports this expansion and allows it to enhance service reliability across its network, a WAM report said.

In total, 10.2 million passengers flew with Etihad in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 17 per cent increase year-on-year. The average load factor during this period was 87 per cent, reinforcing the airline’s momentum and operational efficiency.

“We are pleased to see continued momentum in our growth,” said Neves. “Our year-to-date figures show that more than 10 million guests have flown with us in 2025, and our rolling 12-month total has almost reached 20 million as our customers continue to place their trust in our service.”

Etihad’s June growth also included inaugural flights to Prague and Warsaw, and the resumption of seasonal routes to summer destinations such as Nice, Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini, and Antalya.

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air is actively addressing refund requests from affected passengers on X (formerly Twitter), following its decision to suspend all flights to and from Abu Dhabi by 31 August 2025.

Following the announcement, numerous users took to X to seek clarity on cancellations and refunds.

In an official statement on X, the airline said: “Passengers with existing bookings beyond 31 August 2025 will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The above suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group.”

The move, described by Wizz Air as a response to “geopolitical instability, repeated airspace closures, and regulatory challenges,” has impacted travelers who booked flights for dates beyond 1 September 2025.

Scaling back

Meanwhile, Wizz Air’s CEO József Váradi confirmed to Reuters that the airline intends to “scale back” its order of 47 Airbus A321XLR aircraft in light of the Abu Dhabi withdrawal. He also revealed that talks are underway with Airbus to convert some of that order into A321 models, which are more compatible with Wizz Air’s revised operational focus.

The airline reiterated that only Abu Dhabi operations are affected, and all other Wizz Air group flights will continue as scheduled.

As Wizz Air pivots its strategy toward more stable and profitable markets, its handling of customer concerns, will be key to maintaining brand trust during this transition.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Tesla TSLA.O has priced its Model Y at about $69,770 in India, the highest among major markets, its website showed, as the electric carmaker geared up to open its first showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday, July 15.

With delivery estimated to start from the third quarter, Tesla will drive on to India’s busy roads, targeting a niche premium EV segment that accounts for just 4 per cent of overall sales in the world’s third-largest car market.

Read-Tesla to launch in Saudi Arabia as Musk, kingdom mend relations

It will compete mainly with German luxury giants such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz MBGn.DE, rather than domestic mass-market EV players such as Tata Motors and Mahindra.

Tesla’s Model Y rear-wheel drive will set back buyers Rs6m ($70,000), while its Model Y long-range rear-wheel drive costs Rs6.8m.

That compares with a starting price from $44,990 in the United States, 263,500 yuan ($36,700) in China, and 45,970 euros ($53,700) in Germany.

Grappling with excess capacity in global factories and declining sales, Tesla has adopted a strategy of selling imported vehicles in India, despite duties and levies running into roughly 70 per cent.

On Tuesday, police guarded Tesla’s first showroom in India as media crowded outside the office complex where it is located and the chief minister of the western state of Maharashtra, home to the Indian commercial capital, arrived for the launch.

Inside the showroom clad in Tesla’s signature minimalist neutral tones, the Model Y was draped under black and grey covers, partially visible through the glass. Access was tightly regulated, with no sign of fans or onlookers nearby.

Tesla’s website showed the Model Y available for registration in Mumbai at an on-road price of 6.1 million rupees, with a booking deposit of 22,220 rupees.

The firm’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability is on offer at an additional cost of 600,000 rupees, with future updates promised to enable operation with minimal driver intervention.

While the current features require active driver supervision and are not fully autonomous, Tesla says the system will evolve through over-the-air software updates.