Etihad Airways will let passengers fly now ... and pay later

Pay over three to 60 months.
Source: Etihad

If you want to travel but just can't afford to pay the whole ticket right now, Etihad Airways has a solution for you.

Residents of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt can now benefit from a new scheme by Abu Dhabi's flagship carrier, allowing passengers to pay for tickets in installment plans. 

Through a partnership with PayFort, the Arab world's leading online payment service, Etihad will now allow travelers to pay in installments within three and up to 60 months.

"We understand travel can be a significant expense, especially for families and those on a tight budget, so this new initiative is a great way for people to book and enjoy their travel without having to worry about paying in one large sum," said Justin Warby, Etihad Airways vice president for digital strategy and innovation, according to Gulf News.

Depending on the individual's bank, travelers will be able to benefit from the new option when selecting "Pay by Installment" while booking directly through Etihad's website.

Warby also pointed out that this is an ideal way for travelers seeking greater comfort to book the airline's famous luxury cabins.

"Spreading the payment over a period of months is also a great way to indulge in Etihad Airways’ famous premium cabins," he explained, according to Emirates 24/7.

These are the banks participating in the installment program

Saudi Arabia is spending $2.67 billion to promote entertainment

Increasing entertainment options is a major part of Vision 2030.

Under Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plan, entertainment is a key sector to develop. Now Riyadh has announced a new multi-billion dollar investment to promote fun within the kingdom.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund plans to launch a new entertainment enterprise with an initial capitalization of $2.67 billion, according to Forbes Middle East. In addition to adding more fun opportunities for Saudis within their country, the company will also create some 22,000 jobs.

"By the end of 2030, the company's projects aim to serve more than 50 million visitors annually and create more than 22,000 jobs in the Kingdom, which will contribute around 8 billion Saudi Riyals ($2 billion) to the GDP," the Saudi Press Agency said.

Riyadh wants Saudis to spend more money in the kingdom

Currently, millions of Saudis travel abroad to find entertainment outside of the conservative kingdom. 

According to CNN, about one million Saudis have visited Dubai alone for tourism so far in 2017. Officials in Riyadh would prefer more Saudis stay and spend money back home.

"At the moment, many Saudis head to the likes of Dubai, where there are a lot of entertainment complexes and more things to do," Jason Tuvey, an economist at London-based Capital Economics, told Arab News.

Already, the kingdom's General Authority for Entertainment has launched numerous initiatives in line with the goals laid out in Vision 2030. 

Public concerts have been held in the kingdom for the first time in years. Mixed gender events – including Saudi Comic Con and a YouTube FanFest – have also taken place this year. And even public film screenings have happened, although there are still no official cinemas in the kingdom.

Major plans to boost tourism

In August, the kingdom also announced ambitious plans to transform a large portion of its Red Sea coast into a major tourist destination.

The "semi-autonomous" development will be governed by "independent laws," leading to wide speculation that the kingdom's traditional rules on dress and prohibition on alcohol will not be applied there. 

Beyond potentially challenging the kingdom's conservative laws, the project will be truly massive, covering 34,000 square kilometers – including 50 islands. This means it will span an area bigger than the country of Belgium.

The project aims to transform Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline into a global tourism hotspot, with luxury hotels and pristine beaches. Work on the project is expected to start within two years and it will be funded by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. 

According to reports, the area will not require visas or will grant visas on arrival, making it easily accessible to travelers from around the world. It is also expected to add some $4 billion to the Saudi economy annually while creating 35,000 jobs.

Will Saudi Arabia be able to change?

Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reforms and changes have been moving forward at a rapid pace. 

While many traditional and conservative laws and practices may burden daily life for many, the Saudi leadership has signaled a clear desire to modernize the kingdom.

Opening up society to new entertainment options and opportunities is a significant step in Saudi Arabia's grand reform plans.