Tag Archives: Jeddah

Lumi has partnered with CarTrust , a pioneering Auto-Tech company in Saudi Arabia that specialises in car inspection and delivering detailed examination reports for used car sales. The partnership aims to enhance user experience for Lumi’s used car sales customers and increase their confidence in buying cars that have been inspected by a well-known third party provider in the field. As part of the new partnership, CarTrust will inspect Lumi’s used fleet vehicles that are for sale. During Phase 1, CarTrust will inspect a total of 1600 cars and aim to certify 9000 vehicles by the end of 2024. Lumi’s new procedure will ensure that sales activities run smoothly, whether through financing companies or banks. Suliman Alrobish, UCS Director, Lumi, said; “Lumi’s used car sales segment has been an integral part of the company’s ambitious growth strategy and our collaboration with CarTrust will go a long way towards elevating customers’ confidence and trust in our well-maintained fleet of vehicles. We have always placed great premium on ensuring a seamless and quality experience for our customers and by aligning ourselves with a digital platform, we will no doubt be able to add more value to our services.” Ammar Toonsi, Founder and CEO, CarTrust added; “This partnership represents an important step in our CarTrust journey and assures our ongoing commitment to providing the best services to our customers. The combination of CarTrust’s expertise in vehicle services with Lumi in delivering these services aims to enhance the quality of the used car market in the region.” One of the leading service providers in Saudi Arabia, CarTrust specialises in digital vehicle inspections and evaluations tech platforms using artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision …

Akasa Air commenced direct flights connecting Ahmedabad with Jeddah, the port city of Saudi Arabia, marking its first international route from the Indian city.  The airline now operates two weekly flights between Ahmedabad and Jeddah, providing enhanced and affordable options for air travel between the two major commercial hubs. In an event held at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to flag off the maiden flight, a ceremonial lamp was lit in the presence of members of Akasa Air’s Executive Committee – Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air and Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Akasa Air. The event was also graced by the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, and a special boarding pass was presented to the first passenger on the inaugural flight. Ahmedabad is Akasa Air’s maiden destination, and the airline forayed into the city in August 2022 with the commencement of weekly flights connecting it with Mumbai. Akasa Air has completed 23 successful months of operations from Ahmedabad and has progressively expanded its presence in the region. The airline now seamlessly connects Ahmedabad non-stop with six domestic and one international destination including Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, Delhi, Gwalior, Pune and Jeddah, and operates 59 weekly departures from the city. Since the launch of operations, Akasa Air has carried over 1.8 million passengers to and from Ahmedabad. Commenting on the occasion, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air said “As our maiden destination, Ahmedabad holds immense prominence for Akasa Air, and we are delighted to mark our first international flight from the city with the launch of operations to Jeddah. Ahmedabad is India’s leading industrial centre that has displayed a growing appetite for air travel to the Middle East region, and Jeddah has …

Millennium Al Masar Jeddah officially opened its doors to guests as Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA’s first establishment in Jeddah. This 252-key hotel marks a significant expansion of the group’s presence in Saudi Arabia, further solidifying its foothold in the region. The five-star property marks the group’s 9th opening in the Kingdom, with 8 existing hotels located in the cities of Hail, Jazan, Madinah, Makkah, and Tabuk. Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA has outlined plans for continued growth in the Kingdom, with three new properties slated to open in 2024 and further expansion anticipated in the coming years. Spanning eight floors, guests can expect a luxurious, five-star experience at Millennium Al Masar Jeddah with an array of room types to choose from and three distinctive food and beverage offerings. The hotel also boasts nine versatile function rooms, accommodating events of all sizes. Each space comes fully equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, ergonomic furnishings, and dedicated support from an events team. Meanwhile, for leisure travellers, a health club, an outdoor swimming pool, and a dedicated kids’ pool make this an ideal base for families and tourists to explore the city. Just a two-minute drive from Al Hamra Beach and 24 km from King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Millennium Al Masar Jeddah is ideally located on Al Maadi Street, Al Ruwais. Celebrate the grand opening of Millennium Al Masar Jeddah with the exclusive Hala Summer campaign. Make family time extraordinary and create unforgettable summer memories with 50% off a second room when you book your stay by October 15, 2024. The Hala Summer offer at Millennium Al Masar Jeddah allows parents booking a stay for themselves and their children to …

Saudia Group, through Saudia and flyadeal, announced the addition of 8 new daily flights from Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam to Abha. This strategic move underscores the Group’s dedication to bolstering domestic tourism and aligning with the Saudi Tourism Authority’s efforts to promote Abha as a premier destination during “Aseer Season” and “Saudi Summer” campaigns. Saudia has increased its daily flights to Abha from 14 to 19, marking a notable 35.71% growth. Additionally, flyadeal has expanded its daily operations from 14 to 17 flights, reflecting a 21.42% increase. These enhancements are made possible through a modern and efficient fleet of 176 aircraft. This expansion is a key part of Saudia Group’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s tourism offerings and attracting global visitors. By increasing flight frequencies and seat capacity, Saudia Group seeks to meet the rising demand for travel, further enriching the domestic tourism experience. Saudia Group remains dedicated to strengthening its role in national tourism programs and fostering partnerships that bring the world closer to the Kingdom.

Akasa Air commenced operations to Jeddah, connecting it with Mumbai and Ahmedabad with direct flights. The inaugural flight on 15th July 2024 departed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 1935hrs IST and is scheduled to arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 2225AST. Akasa Air now operates daily direct flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai and will further enhance this connectivity to operate 12 direct flights a week effective 21st July 2024. The launch of operations from Mumbai will be followed by the commencement of two weekly direct flights connecting Jeddah with Ahmedabad effective 20th July 2024.  Akasa Air commenced operations in Riyadh in June 2024, and the launch of services to Jeddah further solidifies the airline’s presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering enhanced options for air travel between the two countries at affordable fares.    Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer further shared, “We are delighted to expand our international network with the launch of operations to Jeddah. The response to our Mumbai-Riyadh route has been encouraging and reflects the need for enhanced connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. Direct flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai and Ahmedabad will foster trade and provide further options to pilgrims from India to Jeddah and drive inbound tourism to the country. Akasa Air has emerged as India’s most dependable airline in a short time. As we rapidly grow our global presence, we remain committed to taking the dependable and affordable Akasa experience to the world.”  Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Akasa Air added, “The launch of operations to Jeddah is yet another stepping-stone in our journey of taking the warm and efficient Akasa experience to the …

This Hajj season, Emirates is geared up to serve the large volume of pilgrims making their way from the airline’s global network through Dubai, to Jeddah and Medina to perform the once in a lifetime Muslim pilgrimage. Emirates has deployed 10 additional flights between 7 Jun and 10 June, and between 21 June and 26 June to carry pilgrims to Jeddah and Medina. These flights have been carefully timed to meet the flight schedules from key markets for Hajj, including Indonesia, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, Senegal and Pakistan. Emirates has been working hard throughout every travel touchpoint of the journey to ensure comfortable experience, both in the air and on the ground for pilgrims heading to Makkah for this significant trip. The additional flights are operated alongside Emirates’ scheduled services to the two Saudi gateways, and provide increased choice and options for thousands of travellers from across the airline’s global network to carry out one of the key pillars of Islam. The airline has further deployed 19 flights to cities including Amman, Dammam, Kuwait Beirut among others to meet high demand during Eid Al-Adha in mid-June. From arriving to Dubai International, to stopping over in the city and connecting onwards to Jeddah and Medina, Emirates has extended its onboard hospitality to the ground through a carefully planned airport experience. Emirates’ dedicated teams will guide pilgrims during their airport journey to ensure a seamless process of connecting to their onwards flights. Airport Service teams have been tasked with meeting, greeting and escorting all pilgrims from arrival to departure. Travellers are welcomed at the arrival gate by dedicated Emirates Airport Service personnel, holding signs with special greetings for pilgrims, where they are escorted …

SAUDIA and Virgin Atlantic have signed a codeshare agreement effective June 2024 to provide a range of benefits to SAUDIA’s guests and Virgin Atlantic’s passengers, enriching their travel experience and expanding route networks for both airlines to serve the tourism and business sectors. The codeshare agreement offers a range of benefits for travelers on both airlines. Guests will enjoy a smooth and hassle-free travel experience with the ability to book connecting flights on both SAUDIA and Virgin Atlantic under a single ticket. This simplifies the booking process and ensures seamless baggage handling to their destination. Additionally, frequent flyers can leverage their existing membership benefits and accrue mileage towards status upgrades on both airlines. Notably, SAUDIA’s AlFursan members can specifically earn and redeem miles on Virgin Atlantic flights. Under this new codeshare agreement, SAUDIA guests will be able to seamlessly travel from Jeddah and Riyadh to ten destinations across the United States and the Caribbean Islands via Heathrow and Manchester airports in the United Kingdom utilizing Virgin Atlantic’s extensive flight network. Furthermore, the Virgin Atlantic passengers traveling from the United States will be able to conveniently book flights via London Heathrow and Manchester airports, connecting them to SAUDIA’s services in Jeddah and Riyadh.

Lifestyle Developers signed an agreement with Marriott International to open the first Autograph Collection Hotel in Jeddah. The B Hotel, an Autograph Collection Hotel is anticipated to be situated within Jeddah’s emerging waterfront destination, South Ubhur. Sultan Sobhi Batterjeee, Founder and President of Lifestyle Developers said, “We are very excited to introduce the Autograph Collection brand to Jeddah’s hospitality scene. The inauguration of the B Hotel represents an idyllic fusion of sophistication and local charm, offering guests a truly immersive experience that celebrates the Kingdom’s rich heritage and authentic hospitality.” The B Hotel is anticipated to offer 100 guestrooms including more than 40 suites, that will reflect the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia combined with contemporary elegance and appeal. Plans for the property include multiple dining options, a fitness centre, swimming pool and kids club. The hotel is also expected to offer event spaces ideal for hosting meetings and memorable occasions. Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International added, “Jeddah continues to grow as a business and leisure destination, and we look forward to strengthening our footprint in the market. Autograph Collection is the ideal fit for this project, and we look forward to working with Lifestyle Developers to introduce the brand’s distinct and unique hospitality experience in Jeddah.” The B Hotel will be strategically located in the upcoming area of South Ubhur with direct sea views of Ubhur Creek, and in close proximity to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and King Abdul Aziz International Airport. The Ubhur is increasingly becoming a popular leisure and family destination. Autograph Collection’s portfolio currently features over 295 hotels globally. Each hotel is a product of passion and a personal …

Marriott International, Inc. and Al Qimmah Hospitality (a subsidiary of BinDawood Trading) signed an agreement to introduce the JW Marriott brand in Jeddah. Situated on the Jeddah Corniche, JW Marriott Hotel Jeddah is anticipated to be a haven for travelers who seek a luxury escape to the waterfront destination, paired with exceptional service and holistic well-being experiences. Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Development – Middle East, Marriott International said, “The signing of JW Marriott Hotel Jeddah continues to reflect the strong growth opportunities for our luxury brands across the Kingdom. As part of the country’s Vision 2030 framework, Jeddah continues to build itself as a leisure and business destination. We look forward to working with Al Qimmah Hospitality and BinDawood Trading to enhance the city’s luxury hospitality landscape with the JW Marriott brand’s legacy of extraordinary hospitality, thoughtful design, and enriching well-being experiences.” On behalf of Al Qimmah Hospitality, Dr. Abdul Razzaq BinDawood commented, “We extend our gratitude to the leadership of the Kingdom who have paved the way for mixed-use real estate development and the expansion of luxury hospitality offerings in Jeddah. We will leverage our expertise and experience in the retail and hospitality sectors to make JW Marriott Hotel Jeddah a successful addition to the city’s landscape.” JW Marriott Hotel Jeddah is anticipated to offer 280 stylishly appointed guestrooms including more than 50 suites. Plans for the hotel include two restaurants, a lobby cafe and pool lounge, and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, fitness centre, and Spa by JW. Other signature brand features anticipated to be included at the property include a JW Garden, multiple serene spaces, and Family by JW experiences. The property is also expected to …

Emirates will be expanding its schedules across the region with 19 additional flights during the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holiday period. This year, more than 150,000 customers are expected to fly with the airline during Eid Al Fitr across the region, with additional flights planned from Jeddah, Kuwait, Beirut and Amman. Emirates will add an extra seven flights to Jeddah from 7-13 April. The additional flights will provide Emirates customers with more flexibility to venture out to popular destinations like Dubai, London, the Maldives, or visit family and friends in Colombo and Karachi. In Kuwait, Emirates will be layering on six extra flights between 7-20 April, catering to the significant travel demand during that time to popular leisure gateways like Dubai, Bangkok, Osaka, as well as providing the opportunity for travellers to head home to Chennai, Hyderabad, Sialkot and Peshawar. Emirates’ flight schedule to Bahrain will also expand to 22 weekly flights starting 2 May to meet increased demand for travel to/from the Kingdom. With families coming together to celebrate after the Holy Month, the airline will also be adding four additional flights onto Amman and two additional flights for Beirut scheduled to accommodate for more travellers. Upholding Eid traditions and keeping in with its proud Middle Eastern heritage, the airline will be serving a specially crafted Eid menu for customers for flights departing from Dubai. Favourites like chicken biryani and lamb kibbeh labanieh, machbous and vanilla and rose mousse cake will be served onboard, among other savoury and sweet dishes. A variety of content will be available on ice for those travelling over Eid al Fitr, from up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment and more than 2,000 movies from around …