RIYADH — Point-of-sale expenditure across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector expanded for a second straight week during the period ending November 7, rebounding steadily as commercial flight operations resumed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport following recent Houthi attacks. Weekly statistical disclosures released by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) show that airline ticket transactions climbed 8.5 percent week-on-week to reach SR33.83 million ($9.02 million).
The consecutive weekly expansion signals rapid operational stabilization and resilient traveler confidence across the Kingdom’s primary aviation hub. Building upon an 11.2 percent surge recorded during the preceding week ending October 31, cumulative airline point-of-sale spending has risen roughly 20.7 percent compared to levels recorded two weeks earlier. Transaction volume in the carrier segment likewise increased by 4.7 percent over the seven-day period, reaching 179,000 individual payments.
While aviation bookings gained momentum, broader consumer expenditure across the Kingdom experienced a slight moderation. Total point-of-sale transactions nationwide stood at SR15.03 billion ($4.01 billion) for the week ending November 7, representing a 2.5 percent decline from the previous seven-day period, while overall transaction counts remained virtually unchanged at 264.85 million.
Commenting on the central bank figures, Saudi economist Talat Hafiz noted that the two-week upward trajectory in flight bookings underscores durable domestic and international travel demand. He emphasized that the rebound reflects the Kingdom’s rapid infrastructural response in repairing damage caused by the Houthi attacks and swiftly restoring full flight schedules at King Khalid International Airport. According to Hafiz, timely operational recovery at the capital’s gateway reinforces broader confidence in Saudi Arabia’s security apparatus, institutional stability, and crisis-management capabilities.
Hafiz further observed that weekly payment trends indicate households and corporate travelers continue to prioritize air mobility both domestically and abroad. Expanding air connectivity, major entertainment and business calendars, and thriving local tourism destinations remain central pillars supporting aviation demand as Saudi Arabia advances its broader tourism diversification targets. Market observers will closely monitor upcoming weekly SAMA indicators to assess whether this upward booking trajectory maintains momentum throughout the final quarter of the year.
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