Riyadh Airport Attacks Raise Travel Fears: Saudi Arabia Weighs Hybrid FII Summit

Saudi Arabia plans to introduce a hybrid format for its flagship Future Investment Initiative (FII), allowing executives to attend remotely after deadly weekend attacks on Riyadh airport raised concerns about travel to the kingdom, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Organisers plan to offer online participation for the 10th Future Investment Initiative later this month, though some delegates may still travel to Riyadh via nearby airstrips or neighbouring Gulf states.

The Saudi government has not commented on the plans.

Earlier this month, organisers said the conference would proceed despite missile attacks.

FII Institute chief executive Maha Al Saud and chairman Richard Attias said delegates’ safety remained their top priority.

The potential shift comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract international investors despite an escalating conflict involving the Houthis that has disrupted its efforts to establish Riyadh as a global hub for major events.

The kingdom has used the FII to promote its economic diversification plans and reduce its dependence on oil revenues.

Often called ‘Davos in the Desert’, the conference attracts world leaders, corporate executives and leading financiers.

A hybrid format could help organisers maintain participation after major oil executives withdrew from an international conference on Monday.

According to a draft programme dated October 6 on the FII website, scheduled speakers included Goldman Sachs chairman and chief executive David Solomon, Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters and Citi chief executive Jane Fraser.

Goldman Sachs and Citi declined to comment on their executives’ attendance, while Standard Chartered did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The proposed arrangement highlights the challenge facing Saudi Arabia as it attempts to sustain international business engagement while security concerns threaten travel and large-scale events.

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