RIYADH: In the field of attracting global talent, Saudi Arabia stands out as a hub of innovation and opportunity, recruiting skilled professionals from all over the world to drive growth in key sectors including technology, finance, and manufacturing.

With a strong focus on talent development and labor market improvements, initiatives such as the Premium Residency program represent an important step in transforming the Kingdom’s workforce.

More than 2,600 healthcare workers became beneficiaries of this scheme, dubbed the Saudi Green Card, in October – a clear sign that the Kingdom is proactively working to secure international talent within the country’s borders

How Saudi Green Card is reshaping landscape for global talent attraction in Saudi Arabia

Launched in 2021, the Premium Residency program offers long-term residency to skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors to create a more competitive environment for top professionals.

It offers expats access to benefits available to Saudi nationals, including the ability to own property, start businesses, and make use of public services. 

Raymond Khoury, partner and public sector practice lead, at Arthur D. Little, Middle East, believes the program will positively impact key sectors by attracting the talent  needed to service the growing population — set to rise from 34.4 million today to 55 million by 2030.

“Such incentives allow skilled professionals to have a more stable personal life environment with their families and the facility to make long-term investments in their careers – a better work-life balance in general,” Khoury told Arab News.

The Arthur D. Little partner went on to note that attracting skilled professionals in sectors like healthcare, technology, tourism, and renewable energy will help diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, reduce oil dependency, and boost gross domestic product through innovation and strategic partnerships in non-oil industries.

“The program also facilitates international professionals in academia and research, allowing for stronger collaborations between universities and private institutions in Saudi Arabia and their international counterparts,” he said.

Khoury added that while the initiative does face challenges, such as the time it takes for international talent to adapt to local cultural and legal norms, these can be mitigated by providing clear integration pathways and support for newcomers. 

The international talent infusion not only accelerates progress within key sectors but also drives cultural and intellectual exchange, fostering long-term growth and innovation.

Raymond Khoury, Partner and public sector practice lead at Arthur D. Little, Middle East

While Saudi Arabia has this program, its Gulf Cooperation Council neighbors, such as UAE and Qatar, have their own talent attraction schemes in place, meaning there is competition for skilled professionals, Khoury explained. Abhishek Sharma, partner at Oliver Wyman’s Government and Public Institutions practice for India, Middle East and Africa, said the Kingdom’s Premium Residency program is transforming the expatriate model by attracting highly skilled professionals.

“Given the Kingdom’s large-scale economic ambitions and the significant opportunities emerging across various sectors, these factors collectively position Saudi Arabia as an increasingly attractive destination for global talent,” Sharma told Arab News.

The Saudi Green Card is improving talent mobility especially in technology, by allowing professionals to work and live without a sponsor, he added. 

This supports Vision 2030’s goal of making Saudi Arabia an innovation hub, and boosts technological growth in sectors like artificial intelligence and digital transformation, according to Mamdouh Al-Doubayan, managing director of Middle East and North Africa at Globant.

“However, while attracting global talent is crucial, sustainable growth depends on balancing international expertise with local knowledge development. The real opportunity lies not just in recruitment but in fostering a dynamic, homegrown workforce capable of driving long-term digital adoption,” Al-Doubayan told Arab News.

International talent influx 

The influx of international talent is vital for advancing key sectors in Saudi Arabia, such as technology, healthcare, tourism, and renewable energy — all of which support Vision 2030’s goal of reducing oil dependence and fostering a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.

Khoury believes innovation and technology advancement across core and adjacent sectors is critical in creating innovation hubs and driving the digital transformation of industries.

“This also covers supporting technology research, development and innovation startups and an encompassing ecosystem that fosters knowledge transfer and international collaboration,” he said.

Healthcare was raised as an area where attracting skilled medical professionals — doctors, nurses, and researchers — can effectively and efficiently improve patient outcomes, introduce advanced medical practices, and lead groundbreaking research. 

By incentivizing industries that rely on highly skilled professionals, Saudi Arabia can accelerate sectoral growth and enhance its overall economic contribution.

Abhishek Sharma, Partner at Oliver Wyman’s Government and Public Institutions practice

“Establishing the Kingdom as an attractive medical tourist destination is part and parcel of some mega-projects — for example the Red Sea project — today under Vision 2030,” Khoury said.

The Arthur D. Little partner also highlighted that improving the education sector in Saudi Arabia is essential for building a knowledge-based economy, particularly in STEM fields.

Attracting international talent in tourism, hospitality management, event planning and arts development is key for Saudi Arabia, particularly for destinations such as Qiddiya and the Red Sea project, where the target is to attract and service between 60 million and 70 million visitors per year by 2030.

“Such a large target requires domain knowledge of global trends and international best practices, which international talent can bring in a timely manner,” Khoury said.

He also flagged the need for international expertise in green technologies as being crucial for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, especially in renewable energy. Global partnerships and innovative solutions will aid in achieving net-zero emissions, optimizing energy efficiency, and creating sustainable business models.

“The international talent infusion therefore not only accelerates progress within key sectors but also drives cultural and intellectual exchange, fostering long-term growth and innovation for the Kingdom,” Khoury said.

Knowledge economy

From Oliver Wyman’s side, Sharma explained that human capital is a key driver of economic growth, with skilled professionals fostering expansion, which in turn attracts more talent. Saudi Arabia is set to experience this positive cycle over the next seven to 10 years.

“As the Kingdom advances toward its Vision 2030 goals, transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, improving the overall quality, skill level, and productivity of the workforce will be critical. By incentivizing industries that rely on highly skilled professionals — such as professional services, technology, and advanced manufacturing — Saudi Arabia can accelerate sectoral growth and enhance its overall economic contribution,” he said. 

While attracting global talent is crucial, sustainable growth depends on balancing international expertise with local knowledge development.

Mamdouh Al-Doubayan, Managing director of Middle East and North Africa at Globant

According to Al-Doubayan from Globant, international talent is crucial to the Kingdom’s shift toward a knowledge-based economy, bringing specialized skills and innovative approaches, particularly in technology. 

Collaborating with local professionals drives progress, supports Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification, and enhances competitiveness in a digital, AI-driven world.

“By integrating global expertise with local capabilities, Saudi Arabia is not only strengthening its workforce but also creating an environment where homegrown talent can thrive. The impact goes beyond immediate job creation — it builds a long-term, self-sustaining innovation ecosystem that reduces reliance on traditional industries and positions the Kingdom as a leader in digital transformation,” he said.

Future strategies 

As Saudi Arabia aims to become a global hub for business, technology, and culture through Vision 2030, the ongoing influx of international talent will play a crucial role in driving economic growth and fostering innovation.

Arthur D. Little’s Khoury believes that enhancing immigration policies, including expanding programs like the Saudi Green Card, could see tailored benefits being offered to professionals in sectors such as renewable energy, AI, and biotech, as well as healthcare and fintech, providing long-term opportunities.

He explained that availing and advancing innovation hubs and ecosystems in support of attracting and retaining tech entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators, is vital, as is offering them not only business opportunities but also a platform to collaborate with global experts in their fields. 

“This is a key focus of the Saudi Research Development and Innovation Authority in its aim to bolster RDI capabilities and create a compelling environment for leading scientists, engineers, and researchers,” Khoury said.

He added that the government is boosting investments in incubators, accelerators, and venture capital to support local and international startups, aiming to create a diverse innovation ecosystem and foster new tech-driven industries.

Additionally, the partner explained how the Kingdom’s investment in education and upskilling initiatives to build a knowledge-based economy, focusing on attracting international students and researchers while pairing global talent with local professionals, will enhance expertise.

“Having a skilled and diverse workforce will better enable Saudi Arabia to effectively compete on the international stage and attract more high-value investments that will spur further economic development and prosperity,” Khoury said.

Oliver Wyman’s Sharma highlighted attracting top talent is key to the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a global leader in AI.

He said that a parallel strategy of aggressively upskilling the local workforce will be “equally critical” in sustaining long-term economic and innovation-driven growth.

Al-Doubayan from Globant explained with growing demand for skilled professionals in technology, entertainment, and sustainability, organizations must offer not just jobs but upskilling, career development, and innovation-driven environments to position the Kingdom as a long-term career destination.

He said: “The increasing integration of AI across industries is intensifying competition for top talent. Organizations now face a paradigm shift: moving from simply retaining talent to empowering professionals to grow, innovate, and remain engaged within the Kingdom’s evolving workforce. The key challenge is no longer just recruitment — it is creating an environment where individuals choose to stay despite global demand for elite professionals.”

RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flynas’s capacity increased by 63 percent from 2019 to 2024, making it the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East region, according to an analysis.

In its latest report, UK-headquartered global travel data provider OAG said that flynas was closely followed by the UAE’s flydubai, which witnessed a capacity rise of 55 percent from 2019 to 2024.

The analysis revealed that both carriers operated nearly 14.4 million departing seats each during the period, with flynas edging ahead by 25,000 travelers.

The strong capacity growth of flynas aligns with Saudi Arabia’s national goal to establish itself as a global tourist and business destination. The Kingdom aims to attract over 150 million visitors by the end of this decade.

“The Middle East region’s strategic position as a global hub, coupled with the dynamic expansion of both low-cost and network carriers, is driving unprecedented opportunities. This vibrant market is setting the stage for future advancements in aviation technology and passenger experience,” said Filip Filipov, chief operating officer of OAG.

Although flydubai and flynas’ networks are similar, the latter benefits from a large domestic market within Saudi Arabia, allowing it to operate a more diverse route network, OAG added.

In February, flynas announced that it expects to receive more than 100 Airbus aircraft over the next five years, part of its broader deal for 280 Airbus jets.

The airline aims to operate over 160 aircraft by 2030, with its 280-plane order worth more than SR161 billion ($43 billion), making it the largest holder of single-aisle aircraft purchase orders in the Middle East.

Commenting on the growth of flynas in recent years, Paolo Carlomagno, partner at Arthur D. Little, said that competitive pricing and top-notch quality have played a crucial role in the airlines’ rising popularity among travelers. 

“In the past five years, flynas has delivered stellar growth thanks to several factors — endogenous and exogenous. A well-planned and executed network strategy and efficient seat capacity increases, primarily driven by fleet expansion with the Airbus A320Neo, which offers lower operating costs,” said Carlomagno. 

He added: “Flynas has also expertly managed the difficult trade-off between pricing and quality of service and delivered strong operational performance over the past five years.” 

The Arthur D. Little official added that the growth of flynas as a leading air carrier globally could help Saudi Arabia achieve its national tourism goals as outlined in the Vision 2030 initiative. 

He further highlighted that flynas has a significant opportunity to expand, as the market penetration of low-cost carriers in the Kingdom is comparatively low compared to other leading markets. 

“LCC market penetration in Saudi Arabia is still significantly lower than some other major aviation markets such as South East Asia and so there is still enormous potential for them to grow further. The ‘democratization’ air travel trend and the connectivity with ‘secondary’ routes will continue to boost demand in the Kingdom,” said Carlomagno. 

Middle East aviation market’s outlook

In its latest report, OAG stated that the Middle East’s aviation market has grown by 5 percent since 2019, making it the world’s second-fastest-growing region after South Asia, which saw a 12 percent increase over the same period.

The analysis further said that this increase was fueled by a robust combination of low-cost carrier growth and legacy carrier capacity.

“In recent years, the Middle East has established a leading position in developing new markets and connecting the region to the rest of the world with non-stop services to all continents and key cities,” said OAG.

It added: “The region has a highly competitive environment with best-in-class airlines operating in all segments, alongside ambitious plans for new aircraft and routes. This makes the Middle East a real hot spot in the aviation industry.”

The report highlighted that the Middle East is the sixth-largest region in the world based on available capacity, with 270 million one-way seats in 2024, placing the area ahead of Eastern Europe and behind South Asia.

According to OAG, airlines operating in the Middle East region witnessed an international travel capacity expansion of 8.9 percent by the end of 2024 compared to 2019, the second-strongest pandemic recovery, only next to South Asia, whose capacity grew by 11 percent during the same period.

Affirming the growth of the aviation sector in the region, a recent report by the International Air Transport Association revealed that airlines operating in the Middle East witnessed a 3.3 percent increase in passenger demand growth in February compared to the same month in 2024.

IATA added that the total capacity of Middle Eastern flights also rose by 1.3 percent year on year in February.

In March, another report by Oliver Wyman also highlighted the growth of the aviation sector in the region. It underscored that the fleet of commercial airlines in the Middle East is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.1 percent from 2025 to 2035 to reach 2,557 aircraft.

The consultant management firm added that this significant growth in the region is almost double the annual global growth rate, which is projected at 2.8 percent during the same period.

According to the latest OAG report, low-cost carriers accounted for 29 percent of the capacity in the Middle East region in 2024, having more than doubled in the last decade from just 13 percent of capacity in 2014.

Globally, low-cost carriers operated 34 percent of the capacity last year.

Competition intensifies in Middle East market

According to OAG, two Middle Eastern carriers have gained prominence worldwide. Emirates and Qatar Airways are the only regional airlines to feature in 2024’s Top 20 Global Airlines for Capacity and the Top 10 Global Airlines by available seat kilometers — a measure of an airline's passenger carrying capacity.

The report revealed that Emirates is now the 14th largest carrier globally by seat capacity and ranks 4th in terms of available seat kilometers.

On the other hand, Qatar Airways has experienced dramatic growth over the last decade, as it developed Doha into a global connecting point and moved from being the 36th largest airline globally 10 years ago to the 19th in 2024.

Regarding available seat kilometers, Qatar Airways also advanced from 17th in 2019 to the sixth largest globally in 2024.

The capacity of Qatar Airways increased by 18 percent between 2019 and 2024.

The capacity of Emirates dropped by 7 percent in 2024 compared to 2019, while Saudia’s capacity declined by 11 percent during the same period.

“Competition across the region’s leading airlines is increasing, with as much investment in product as network expansion,” said OAG.

The study further stated that the Middle East market is likely to experience significant disruptions in the future as additional airline capacity is added through various airline business models and the creation of new airlines in the region.

“The launch of Riyadh Air is likely to be one of the most interesting disruptions in the Middle East market in the coming years, alongside the planned growth of rival Saudi airline Saudia and its move to a new base at Jeddah,” said OAG.

It added: “Although neither of these airlines is likely to challenge Emirates’ traffic in the short term, they will create a new competitive landscape as Saudi carriers vie for both transfer traffic and inbound tourism.”

According to OAG, the key feature of the aviation sector in the Middle East, and particularly the bigger markets of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, is the depth of network that they offer to travelers.

The report added that non-stop flights from the region’s major hub airports reach every continent, with only a handful of international markets remaining unserved directly.

Markets in South America, including Lima and Santiago, fall just outside the operational reach of the Middle East region.

OAG further said that Doha to Auckland is currently the longest non-stop route operated from the Middle East by Qatar Airways, followed by Emirates’ Dubai to Auckland route.

“In time, with ever-increasing aircraft ranges, it is likely these destinations will provide new markets for the network carriers to increase their revenues further,” the report added.

It concluded: “For the traveler, a seemingly ever-expanding choice of destinations to reach, along with increased competition, is likely to result in airfares remaining competitive throughout the region.”