Business & Money | Sunday 2 December, 2018 5:44 pm |

Formula E has officially landed in Saudi Arabia as national flag carrier airline Saudia – the title sponsor of the ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix – unveiled its dramatic new racing livery for the historic event on December 15. 

 

The unique aircraft design signifies the airlines long-term partnership with the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as the Official Title Sponsor of the upcoming race and official Airline Partner of the series, which begins this season with the sport’s debut in the Middle East at the stunning UNESCO heritage site on the outskirts of Riyadh. 

 

The new livery was revealed to special guests and members of the media at an inaugural ceremony at the Private Aviation Terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday December 2, and reflects the commitment the airline has made in supporting the all-electric series for the duration of its partnership. 

 

The Boeing 777-300 aircraft with the new vibrant Saudia Ad-Diriyah E-Prix livery design, will fly across four continents across the carrier’s extensive route network of more than 90 destinations. Saudia currently flies a modern, mixed fleet of 155 narrow and widebody aircraft. The fleet is set to grow to more than 200 aircraft by the end of 2020. 

 

For the first time the airline is able to bring international visitors to the event thanks to a new online visa system called Sharek - https://www.sharek.sa/formulae- which means ‘your ticket is your visa’ for tourists from around the world wanted to attend. So travellers from more than 50 nations around the world have been granted visas, with the UK and US leading the way.

 

The ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix is the centre piece of a three-day festival of music, entertainment and cultural activities, the like of which has never been seen before. 

 

On Thursday, November 27 it was announced that six international artists will be performing on stage at Ad Diriyah. 

 

Two superstars will perform on December 13 (Enrique Iglesias and Jason Derulo), two on December 14 (TheBlack Eyed Peas and Amr Diab), with the final pair electrifying crowds after the Formula E race day on December 15 (OneRepublicand David Guetta). Access to the complimentary concerts is exclusive to Formula E ticket holders with December 13 and 14 starting from SAR295 for single day tickets, and December 15 starting from SAR395 for race day and concert access. Combined three-day tickets start from SAR950.