Tourism Breaking News
Diriyah Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Helicopter Company (THC), the Kingdom’s premier commercial helicopter operator, to explore potential opportunities and the integration of advanced air mobility solutions for the Diriyah project. This strategic collaboration supports Diriyah’s vision to become the world’s premier cultural and tourism destination, targeting 50 million annual visitors by 2030. The MoU was signed by Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, and Capt. Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. The MoU aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting national efforts to diversify the economy and enhance key sectors including tourism, mobility and infrastructure through the adoption of advanced technologies and sustainable development practices.
The MoU covers a wide scope of collaboration, including strategic planning and integration, to explore the potential of incorporating Urban Air Mobility (UAM) services within Diriyah’s urban framework. It also emphasizes regulatory alignment and leveraging THC’s expertise in guiding Diriyah Company as its partner in the establishment of operational, technical, and infrastructural foundations to ensure efficient and compliant implementation of air mobility solutions within the birthplace of the Kingdom. The MoU highlights the importance of engagement with the air mobility ecosystem, including air transport operators, technology providers, and infrastructure developers, with an emphasis on environmental and social sustainability. To initiate this collaboration, Diriyah Company and THC will form a joint working group to assess opportunities and evaluate the potential impact of introducing innovative urban air transport services within the Diriyah project. If implemented, these services are expected to play a transformative role in the Kingdom’s urban air mobility and tourism sectors, further elevating Diriyah’s position as a premier global destination in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
Commenting on the MoU, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “We are thrilled to partner with THC in this pioneering initiative, which marks a major step toward realizing our vision of Diriyah as a world-class cultural and tourism destination. We believe that introducing innovative urban air mobility services will offer a truly distinctive experience for our visitors and further strengthen Diriyah’s presence on the global tourism map.”
On his part, Capt. Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, stated: “We value our partnership with Diriyah Company on this groundbreaking project, which underscores our commitment to share THC’s expertise in delivering innovative, safe, and sustainable aviation solutions. We look forward to working closely with Diriyah to create a unique customer journey for the Kingdom’s birthplace visitors, and achieve the ambitious goals of this MOU, and support the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Urban air mobility will provide accessibility to a new era of mobility within cities, reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity. These solutions align with “smart city” principles and are expected to revolutionize urban mobility. Their impact will be particularly significant in major cities and high-profile destinations, with transformative potential for large-scale projects like Diriyah.
