Saudi Arabia approves SpaceX's Starlink for aviation and maritime shipping, expanding connectivity

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has approved the use of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service for aviation and maritime shipping as part of its efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and expand internet connectivity.

The announcement was made during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on May 13, attended by Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, OpenAI's Sam Altman, and Amazon's Andy Jassy.

Starlink, which uses low Earth orbit satellites for broadband coverage, will now offer reliable connectivity for aviation and maritime industries in remote areas.

While residential use is not yet confirmed, other countries in the region, including Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, have already embraced Starlink's services. Qatar Airways, for example, has integrated it into its Boeing 777 fleet.

Musk praised Saudi Arabia’s decision, emphasizing the service's potential to transform industries. He also discussed his vision for humanoid robots, self-driving vehicles, and AI’s role in the economy. Musk presented Tesla robots to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump, one even performing Trump’s signature dance.

Musk predicted that widespread robot integration could grow the global economy tenfold and expressed enthusiasm about the potential for self-driving cars in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Musk’s AI company xAI aims to build a general-purpose AI that seeks the truth.

The approval follows Saudi Arabia securing US$600 billion in investments during President Trump's visit, reinforcing its position as a leader in technological innovation.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE