Saudi Arabia will soon be connected more to the world with the launch of Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s ambitious new airline.

Scheduled to take flight by the end of 2025, the digital-first carrier aims to revolutionise travel to and from Saudi, while shining a spotlight on Riyadh’s rich heritage, dynamic culture and thriving culinary scene.

A sister airline to Saudia, Riyadh Air is owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund and was officially unveiled in March  2023, by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Since then, it has made waves with its plans for a 132-strong fleet, high-profile partnerships with global brands such as Atlético Madrid and Delta Airlines, and a bespoke designer uniform for its cabin crew.

Now, the airline is set to be a key player in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, contributing to the goal of attracting 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade and generating over 200,000 jobs in the process.

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Riyadh Air’s impressive fleet is set to include 60 cutting-edge Airbus A321neo aircraft and 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, designed with spacious cabins, noise-reduction technology, and 25 per cent better fuel efficiency. It will also have the largest windows of any commercial passenger aircraft.

True to its digital-first ethos, the airline has also launched a mobile app powered by AI, offering a highly personalised user interface.

Travellers will be able to input their budget, preferred travel dates and specific preferences and then the app will curate custom itineraries complete with hotel options, attractions, and restaurant suggestions.

Additionally, the innovative app utilises advanced facial recognition, turning your face into your passport, boarding pass and payment method. This is expected to provide a smoother travel experience for passengers, by streamlining airport processes and eliminating queues.

Discover Riyadh: What to see and do in the Saudi Capital

While Riyadh Air will connect over 100 destinations globally by 2030, its brand identity is deeply rooted in the capital.

Boasting a mix of traditional souks, grand palaces and modern commercial districts, the best way to get the lay of the land is by taking an elevator up to the Sky Bridge for 360° views.

Elevated 300 metres above ground, the 65-metre curved viewing platform in the Kingdom Centre is an impressive introduction to an ever-changing skyline offering dramatic views from city to desert.

To explore Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, few places compare to Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can enjoy boutique shopping experiences and tuck into an array of local and international dining options.

Located on the outskirts of the capital, Diriyah is considered to be the birthplace of Saudi Arabia and is the ancestral home of the Al Saud family.

Currently undergoing major redevelopment, the first areas of the traditional mud-brick town are now open to visitors, including the At-Turaif District, which dates back to the 15th century, and the Salwa Palace where you can embark on a tour led by local guides.

For games, live shows and sports challenges, head to Boulevard Riyadh City, a sprawling entertainment centre packed with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Don’t miss Times Square, a fascinating depiction of the New York landmark that pulses with live performances, dancing, and even firework displays.

In Riyadh’s Al-Aqeeq neighbourhood, KAFD is a dynamic fusion of business and lifestyle. Spanning 1.6 million square meters, this architectural marvel boasts 95 towers and state-of-the-art infrastructure. As the world’s largest LEED Platinum-certified development, it offers a vibrant blend of sustainable shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Embark on a desert adventure in the Riyadh wilderness

To experience the great outdoors, head to Rawdat Tinhat, Saudi Arabia’s largest natural meadow covering 140,000 square kilometres. Located 185 kilometres north of Riyadh in Rumah province, you’ll get the chance to see Rawdat Tinhat’s famous colourful tulips, and it’s a serene spot for camping and stargazing.

Thrill-seekers, meanwhile, should set their sights on Edge of the World, known for its dramatic cliffs and panoramic views. Situated 120 kilometres west of Riyadh, the 300-metre-high cliff face is lined with trails, canyons, and desert landscapes. Here, you can enjoy an exhilarating hiking experience that culminates in breathtaking vistas of the surrounding wilderness.

Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, outdoor adventure or urban exploration, Riyadh’s blend of old and new promises an unforgettable journey.

North Korea has suspended foreign tourism to the border city of Rason, weeks after allowing a group of international travellers to enter the nation for the first time in five years, according to tour companies.

This week, two Western tour operators — Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) — and China-based KTG Tours announced the suspension of trips to the hermit state.

“Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted,” KTG Tours, which specialises in North Korean travel, said on Facebook.

People planning North Korea tours in April and May should refrain from booking flights “until we have more information”, YPT said in a Facebook post.

Last month, 13 travellers from the UK, Canada, Greece, New Zealand, France, Germany, Austria, Australia and Italy visited the northeastern city of Rason — where the country’s special economic zone is located — for a five-day trip organised by Koryo Tours.

The travel company’s manager, Simon Cockerell, said the visitors crossed into North Korea by land from China. Whilst inside the country, they visited factories, shops, schools and statues of the country’s first two supreme leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.

They were the first non-Russian visitors to enter North Korea since it shut its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the nation has been slowly scaling back restrictions and reopening its borders, with some 880 Russian tourists visiting the country throughout last year, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry.

Stricter restrictions

Before the pandemic, tourism was an easy, legitimate source of foreign currency for North Korea, one of the world’s most sanctioned countries due to its nuclear programme.

At least 300,000 Chinese tourists visited North Korea annually pre-pandemic— representing more than 90% of total international visitors — according to the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank run by South Korea’s intelligence agency.

Yet experts have said the restrictions that North Korea has typically imposed on foreign travellers, such as requirements that they move with local guides and the banning of photography at sensitive places, will likely hurt its efforts to develop tourism.

Koryo Tours told the BBC that the group’s movements in Rason were more restricted than on previous trips — they had fewer chances to wander the streets and talk to locals.

The tour company said earlier this week that it was accepting international applications for the Pyongyang Marathon for the first time since the pandemic. However, whether those applications will be processed for the 6 April event is now unclear.

North Korea is expected to open a massive tourism site on its east coast in June. In January, when US President Donald Trump boasted about his relationship with Kim Jong-un, he said: “I think he has tremendous condo capabilities. He’s got a lot of shoreline”.

Lee Sangkeun, an expert at the Institute for National Security Strategy, said that Rason, the eastern coast site and the capital Pyongyang would be the places where North Korea’s authorities believe they can easily monitor and control foreign tourists.

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers.

Starting 2 April 2025, all European visitors will need ETA approval – or, for some non-EU nationals, a visa – to enter the UK.

The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Applications for European travellers open today.

Read on for details on cost, validity and how to get it.

What is the ETA?

The ETA replaces the single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme, offering a lower cost option with multi-entry validity.

The UK government notes that it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK. Rather, it authorises a person to travel to the UK.

The ETA is now required for all eligible nationalities. You can find the full list of countries here.

How do I apply for an ETA to enter the UK?

Most visitors will be able to apply using a mobile app and can expect a decision emailed within three days.

Everyone travelling needs to apply, including babies and children, but you can apply for other people.

The UK government says its app is the quickest and easiest way to apply for an ETA. You can download the ETA app from the UK government website.

If you cannot download the app, you can also apply online here.

To complete the application, make sure you have on hand the passport you’ll be travelling on, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will have to answer a set of suitability questions. You don’t need to enter your travel details.

You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.

When to apply for your ETA

The government says: “You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.”

Considering most applicants will get a decision within three days, it can be assumed you should apply at least three ahead of travelling to the UK, though you can do it much further in advance.

How much does the UK ETA cost?

Like the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in the US, a fee is attached to the application process. The ETA costs £10, approximately €12 at the time of writing.

According to the British Home Office website, however, the UK “[intends] to increase the cost of an ETA to £16 (€129) in the future.”

How long is the ETA valid?

An ETA lasts for two years. You do not need to apply again during this time.

You can travel to the UK as many times as you want during the period of validity, but you cannot stay for longer than six months on one trip. Check the UK government website for more details on what you can and cannot do on an ETA.

Note that you will need to apply for a new ETA if you get a new passport, as your ETA is linked to it.

Will I need a visa to enter the UK?

As mentioned above, the ETA isn’t a visa, but it does grant permission to enter the country.

All visitors who don’t require a visa currently will need to get an ETA before they travel. This includes those who do not currently need to submit any form of application to visit the UK. US, Canadian, Australian and European citizens need an ETA even for short stays or transiting through the UK, for example.

Travellers from countries that don’t have visa-free entry agreements with the UK will still have to apply for the correct visa and an ETA.

If you don’t apply before your trip, the government says you could be fined, though no further details have been given about this.

You still need to apply if you are transiting through the UK – even if you aren’t going through border control.

The ETA allows you to come to the UK for six months for tourism, visits to family and friends, business or short term study.

You can also get an ETA instead of a visa if you are coming to the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession or coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. Outside of these conditions, you can’t use an ETA to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.

Who does not need an ETA?

British and Irish citizens, people who already have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK, those travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport and people who live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man don’t need to apply for an ETA.

Why is the UK introducing the ETA scheme?

The ETA is part of the UK’s plan to digitise its borders at UK airports by the end of 2025.

The scheme is intended to reduce queues at the border, “helping to speed up legitimate journeys to the UK”.

Facial recognition technology could be used to make these “contactless corridors” possible, British newspaper The Times reports. It would require international travellers to submit biographic and biometric details, like photos of their faces through the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme before they fly.