Tag Archives: Saudia

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), completed the transfer of its operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom in cooperation with its ground services arm, Saudi Ground Services (SGS) as well as Europe Handling. Led by the General Manager of International Stations, Mr. Muhammad Al-Zaydi, a SAUDIA and SGS team collaborated to support Cobalt, the UK local ground services company and to ensure the smooth running of the ground services. This collaboration signifies SAUDIA’s efforts to providing the best services to its guest as well as showcase the wide capabilities of SGS locally and globally. It also emphasizes the synergy of SAUDIA Group’s ecosystem and its ability to cover all aspects and requirements of work in the industry. SAUDIA and SGS both honored the working teams on Tuesday 26 July 2022 for their success in managing the transfer process at Heathrow Airport. The honoring ceremony was in the presence of the Saudi Ground Services CEO, and VP Ground Operations in SAUDIA, Mr. Mohammed Baakdah praised the working team’s efforts and emphasized the importance of the mutual and continuous cooperation between the companies under SAUDIA Group. While Mr. Raed Al-Idrissi commended the team for achieving a high degree of responsibility and efficiency and stated his pride towards the qualified young men and women in the team. It is notable that SAUDIA announced the transfer of its operational services at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom Terminal 4 on July 7, 2022. SAUDIA operates 48 flights between the Kingdom and UK, with a capacity of more than 13.9 thousand seats. And 28 weekly flights between Riyadh and London in both directions, with a capacity of 8.1 thousand …

SAUDIA Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to collaborate on the development of products and services that will benefit and cater to guests coming to the Kingdom to perform Pilgrimage. The collaboration will encompass multiple of initiatives under four main tracks which are Digital Development and Integration, Training, Communication Awareness, and Measuring Satisfaction. The agreement was signed by His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rubaieh, and His Excellency the Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar. The signing ceremony was held during the first day of the Hajj and Umrah conference and exhibition in Jeddah. This agreement will lead to the development of the specialized online platform (www.umrahbysaudia.com) for marketing Umrah products and issuing electronic visas (eVisa). It will also enable the airline to host more guests from different countries by integrating the platform with the “Eatmarna” application for easier Umrah bookings. Areas of cooperation also include coordination with the Ministry to improve the performance of the Hajj pilgrim’s movement during the pilgrimage, coordination with organizations that campaign for Hajj education, as well as preparing a procedural guide for pilgrims. Other initiatives will focus on measuring the satisfaction of guests and building awareness programs for Pilgrims on board by establishing a “Hajj and Umrah” channel in the in-flight entertainment system. The signing of the memorandum between the two entities showcases SAUDIA’s disposition to stay aligned with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah plans of increasing the number of pilgrims through projects that are currently being implemented, such as adding new international destinations the Airline’s network and offering more flights and increasing seat capacity. …

Saudia Airlines has announced the resuming of its direct flights to Mauritius this May, and One&Only Le Saint Géran welcomes Saudi travellers to discover this exclusive tropical peninsula, flanked by the warm ocean and a tranquil lagoon. Long celebrated as the iconic luxury retreat in Mauritius, One&Only Le Saint Géran retains what guests have always loved – a sense of seclusion on its own private peninsula with a beachfront and calm lagoon unlike any other resort on the island. The luxury resort’s rooms, suites and exclusive villa offer ample space for relaxation, exploration, and celebration, a haven for the perfect family holiday in Mauritius. One&Only Le Saint Géran offers a host of one-of-a-kind experiences for guests to discover, designed exclusively for One&Only and tailored to each individual guest’s preferences. Saudi guests can unearth a side of Mauritius they never knew existed with illuminating excursions and hands-on experiences; from vibrant culinary journeys through to thrilling deep-sea fishing experiences, guests can discover protected nature reserves and take advantage of privileged access to unrivalled locations and colourful local characters. The dining experience at One&Only Le Saint Géran celebrates Mauritius and its fusion of cuisines, spices and culture, delivering an exciting, world-class experience for guests. Saudi guests can choose to dine at PRIME, One&Only Le Saint Géran’s celebrated and transformed steakhouse; Tapasake, exciting pan-Asian, tapas-style fusion cuisine on the edge of the lagoon; L’Artisan, an artisanal bakery serving barista prepared coffee, tempting pastries and light bites throughout the day; La Terrasse with its stunning views and celebration of Mauritian, Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean flavours prepared live; Le Badamier, idyllically located beneath the tropical sway of the Badamier trees and overlooking the Indian Ocean, serving …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and American Express Saudi Arabia, have further strengthened their partnership by introducing the possibility for all American Express Saudi Arabia Cardmembers to transfer two Membership Rewards® points for one AlFursan mile. The announcement comes as an extension of the ongoing successful partnership between the two parties through the existing AlFursan American Express cobranded credit card that allows American Express Saudi Arabia Cardmembers to earn miles directly using the card. Present to mark the occasion during a signing ceremony at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, were SAUDIA’s Vice President of Marketing and Product Management, Mr. Essam Akhonbay and American Express Saudi Arabia Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Khalid Mohammad Kayal. Commenting on the expanded partnership, Mr. Akhonbay said: “SAUDIA is proud to be building on the successful, long-standing partnership with American Express Saudi Arabia,” “Jointly, we are committed to providing members with additional convenience to maximize earned benefits and build travel journeys with flexibility in mind.” Mr. Kayal added: “Consolidating our strategic partnership with SAUDIA for the benefit of our Cardmembers is an important priority. The relationship with SAUDIA started with the successful AlFursan American Express cobrand credit card and through signing our new agreement all American Express Saudi Arabia Cardmembers will be able to access the benefit of our strategic partnership and redeem their Memberships Rewards® points toward AlFursan miles.” SAUDIA’s vast network of flights connects to more than 95 destinations across four continents. The airline recently announced the addition of 10 new international routes: Bangkok, Thailand; Barcelona and Malaga, Spain; Marrakech, Morocco; Mykonos, Greece; Moscow, Russia; Beijing, China; Seoul, South Korea; Entebbe, Uganda; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Chicago, Illinois in the United States of America. …

SAUDIA operated the world’s longest net positive flight thanks to a partnership with Enviro-tech business CarbonClick and aviation consultancy SimpliFlying. On 12 May 2022, SAUDIA offset a total of 346 tonnes of carbon emissions, including radiative forcing impacts by a factor of two, for commercial passenger flight SV227, from Jeddah to Madrid, making the flight net-positive. Operating with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the flight time was 5 hours and 55 minutes. Flight SV227 departed from King Abdulaziz International airport at 1030 hrs and arrived at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas airport at 1535 local time. This flight is SAUDIA’s entry into The Sustainable Flight Challenge, an initiative by SkyTeam, one of the world’s three major airline alliances. All SkyTeam airlines are being challenged to go above and beyond by finding the most sustainable way to operate one single flight in their existing networks. The challenge seeks inspiration from the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne. As part of that, CarbonClick’s partner SimpliFlying is working with SAUDIA to enable them to operate a net-positive flight. The flight will also see the world’s first in-flight sustainability lab, where passengers contribute ideas on how air travel can become ‘greener’, led by SimpliFlying. SAUDIA’s participation in SkyTeam’s Sustainable Flight Challenge is part of a broader commitment by the airline to continually improve its environmental performance. This is an integral part of its business strategy and commitment to becoming an industry leader in sustainability. The flight comes on the heels of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, where sustainability was a key theme and SAUDIA was the strategic partner and official carrier. “The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 will see 100 million visits to Saudi Arabia by …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) launched the all-new rebranded business division for the airline; SAUDIA Business, specialising in B2B travel solutions for Corporate, Agency & MICE clients recently. SAUDIA Business provides unique solutions for each travel requirement for a diverse range of beneficiaries, including corporations, travel agencies, and event organisers. The new account management department will streamline the booking process and support corporate travel through a seamless online platform with multiple functions and tools to serve SAUDIA’s business clients from A to Z. SAUDIA Business will have a dedicated meetings and events team that assists with specific corporate travel needs and event organisation worldwide. The new division will serve and support clients with busy schedules who frequently go on business trips, whether for meetings, incentive travel, conventions, or exhibitions (MICE). Hazem Sonbol, Vice President of sales at SAUDIA, said, “This is not just a new service department; it is an extension to the SAUDIA brand, a show of dedication to pursuing excellence. SAUDIA Business respects our guests’ time and understands the corporate standard with a service that will live up to it. We are looking forward to serving our business partners and taking care of their travel needs through SAUDIA Business.” Catering to corporate clients with custom solutions, SAUDIA Business will be offering new incentives exclusively for corporate clients through SAUDIA Business Loyalty. This unique rewards programme that allows for the redemption of points with every booking and spend. SAUDIA Business retains a stellar repertoire of regional and international clients from various industries, including Saudi ARAMCO, SABIC, SNB, BAE Systems, Amazon, and many more, that have put their trust in the new business department.  

SAUDIA Airlines resumes direct flights to Mauritius 3 times a week. With the resumption of flights Saudis are now able to travel again into this magnificent destination, and enjoy what this paradise island has to offer. From the start Saudis visiting Mauritius will instantly feel welcome, they are treated to a warm attitude by locals, the Mauritian hospitality, rooting from an extraordinary mix of cultures, religion and ethnicities. All the communities live in harmony by nurturing their own culture and heritage, and sharing them with visiting guests. Mauritius has plenty to offer to the Saudi travelers be it families, couples, adventure travelers, or Saudis who wish to see this paradise island and all it has to offer. Here are some of the most unforgettable experiences you will have on your stay in Mauritius. The island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and cliffs that offer, together with the blue lagoon, an extraordinary scene that varies according to the seasons and the time of the day. The coastal landscapes also change according to the region, they are nothing alike. A sight to behold for sure! Mauritius is an island, and water sports is a must. Whatever the age or fitness level, you will surely find an activity that will suit you. Activities such as pedalo, kayak, stand-up paddle, and glass-bottom boat, there are also operators for specific outings such as dolphin viewing or big-game fishing, Submarine ride, the undersea walk, the underwater scooter and the parasailing for those looking for more thrilling activities. Aside from the water activities, Mauritius also has plenty to offer adventurous travelers in both air and land, trekking, quad biking, Safari, horse riding, double zip lines …

SAUDIA has underlined its commitment to contributing to the growth of the Kingdom’s tourism and sports sectors with the launch of the airline’s first-ever polo team. The three-man team will compete in the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo 2022, one of the most eagerly awaited events of the AlUla Moments season. The team’s participation comes as part of SAUDIA’s strategic partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, and is the latest in a series of collaborations designed to highlight the historic destination’s rich heritage and natural beauty. The national carrier has contributed to a variety of events and activations showcasing the ancient desert city’s unique attractions. These include the world’s first “Museum in the Sky” flight, which highlighted AlUla’s cultural significance as a living museum and the home of Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a challenging equestrian event that attracted 200 riders from more than 30 countries to compete across 120 km of rugged desert terrain. The Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament is one of several upcoming events supported by SAUDIA. From 27 February to 12 March, visitors will be able to soar high above the desert landscape for a magical hot air balloon ride as part of the AlUla Skies Festival. Guests can also look forward to experiencing a Symphony Under the Stars on 11 March, as a dazzling musical performance takes place against the stunning backdrop of the famous Arch Rock. Khaled Tash, Group Chief Marketing Officer at SAUDIA, commented, “This is a period of incredible growth for SAUDIA, AlUla, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are proud to be part of the ambitious plans to …

​Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) presented various models of the latest next-generation aircraft seats in both business and economy classes which will be included in the airline’s upcoming new Airbus A321XLR aircraft deliveries. During the two-day event held at the SAUDIA Club at the airline’s headquarters in Jeddah, guests from the Al Fursan loyalty program along with media representatives, were invited to experience and share their views and votes for their preferred models. The votes will be grouped with the decision of stakeholders which will eventually be taken into consideration for choosing the final seat on the new aircraft. During the seat selection event, the Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, engaged with a number of guests at the event and heard their input and comments with regards to current onboard products and services. The seat manufacturers featured in the event included Thompson Aero Seating, Safran Seats, Stelia, Collins Aerospace, Geven, Haeco, and Recaro. The models presented include a new business-class suite featuring a 180 degrees fully-flatbed seat with sliding doors. Some of the presented suites also include a 24-inch HD screen. The spacious economy class seats come fully equipped with the latest amenities, together with storage areas and 13-inch seat-back entertainment screens. Captain Ibrahim S.  Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, stated that the main goal of providing high-quality products is to provide comfort and industry-leading ergonomic features. Koshy indicated that the first of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ Airbus A321XLR aircraft is expected to arrive in 2024. SAUDIA has ordered a total of 15 Airbus A321XLR, which will serve regional, European, and Asian routes. Captain Koshy further asserted that the company is forging ahead with several customer-focused development …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has renewed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification. Created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), IOSA is an accredited international evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. The biennial audit was conducted by a specialized international team accredited by IATA that reviews the safety and quality of airline operational processes. The audit included a review of the effectiveness of SAUDIA’s documentation of its safety procedures as well as an evaluation of the operational quality requirements and their practical application on the ground. In addition, the audit team went on scheduled flights, conducted field audits on all procedures followed during the flights, and ensured the safety and quality of operational processes besides studying the detailed operations across various relevant divisions, and it included eight sectors and operational locations: safety and quality systems, flight operations, flight dispatch, aircraft engineering and maintenance, cabin operations, ground operations, cargo operations, and aviation security. Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, expressed his pride at SAUDIA’s success in passing the audit with excellence as well as on the positive observations of IATA regarding the accuracy of the safety procedures and operational quality at SAUDIA. He said that safety procedures are part of SAUDIA’s daily operational processes and that this recognition is not the first and will not be the last, as the national air carrier has received numerous commendations from international air transport organizations. “SAUDIA applies and prioritizes strict internal procedures for the safety and quality of its operations. Passing the audit at this advanced level and receiving the best safety and operational quality reports have been made possible by the efforts of …