Tag Archives: Saudia

Akbar Travels now becomes the first and only travel portal to go live with NDC Direct with SAUDIA as they successfully launched with its NDC integration. The partnership, which began as a pilot project, has now established a significant milestone for both organizations, marking a new era of technological advancements in airline distribution. From the inception of the project, SAUDIA and Akbar Travels worked closely to build a strong foundation, developing the NDC integration from scratch. The journey highlighted their commitment to enhancing travel booking experiences for travel agents and customers while fostering a collaborative spirit. The collaboration was further strengthened by the technological expertise of Benzy Infotech, the technology arm of Akbar Travels. With its state-of-the-art solutions and an unwavering focus on efficiency, Benzy Infotech played a crucial role in ensuring the seamless execution of the NDC integration. From Akbar Travels, the collaboration was met with enthusiasm and determination. The project aligns with their mission to leverage technology to enhance their services and strengthen their position as a leader in the travel industry. Ashiya Nazar, International Division Lead at Akbar Travels, said: “The launch of the NDC platform with SAUDIA represents a significant step forward for Akbar Travels. SAUDIA’s support and our team’s dedication made this initiative a reality. Together, we are reshaping the way travel services are delivered, making them more dynamic and customer-centric.” Ahmed Kasim, General Manager of Akbar Travels Middle East, shared his thoughts: “This partnership with SAUDIA has been a transformative experience for Akbar Travels. This success not only enhances our offerings but also strengthens our bond with one of the region’s most prestigious airlines.” The SAUDIA-Akbar Travels NDC integration enables agents to access a …

Sabre Corporation announced the launch of SAUDIA ’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content on the Sabre marketplace. This milestone marks a significant advancement in SAUDIA ‘s distribution strategy, enabling the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide enriched content and offers to travel buyers globally. SAUDIA’s NDC content is now accessible through Sabre’s extensive global travel marketplace, marking the first time SAUDIA has made its NDC content available on a GDS. This technical integration empowers travel agents, travel management companies (TMCs), and corporations to deliver tailored offers to their customers. It also supports SAUDIA’s goal of modernizing its distribution capabilities, offering more dynamic and personalized content to travel buyers while elevating the traveler experience. “We are excited to partner with SAUDIA in advancing our mutual goal of enhancing the retailing experience through NDC,” said Kathy Morgan, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Distribution Experience at Sabre. “The launch of SAUDIA’s NDC content through Sabre demonstrates our commitment to enabling seamless access to multi-source content, ensuring that travel agents and corporations can easily shop, book, and service NDC offers alongside other content in our marketplace.” SAUDIA, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is eager to unlock new retailing opportunities through this collaboration, offering travelers more flexibility, choice, and tailored services. With Sabre’s NDC-enabled solutions, SAUDIA can reach more travelers, delivering a more frictionless, personalized booking experience aligned with its distribution strategy. Arved Von Zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAUDIA, said: “Our partnership with Sabre is a significant step toward realizing our vision of transforming the travel experience for our guests. By adopting NDC, we can offer more personalized and relevant options, delivering a superior booking experience …

Red Sea Global (RSG) welcomed the inaugural flynas flight from Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport to Red Sea International Airport (RSI) marking the launch of the first direct connection from the Eastern Province to The Red Sea destination. Flights will operate twice a week, every Thursday and Saturday, serving both The Red Sea destination and surrounding areas. This new route, alongside existing flights from Riyadh and Jeddah, enhances connectivity between The Red Sea destination and the broader Kingdom. Strategically positioned, RSI lies within a three-hour flight for 250 million people and an eight-hour flight for 85% of the world’s population. Since September 2023, The Red Sea destination has been welcoming guests to five of its world-class resorts, with regular schedule of domestic flights operated by SAUDIA have been servicing RSI. In 2024, RSI marked another milestone by receiving its first international flight from Dubai International Airport, operated by flydubai. These developments underscore RSI’s role as a vital gateway, seamlessly connecting travelers to one of Saudi Arabia’s most breathtaking destinations. Once fully operational, RSI will run entirely on renewable energy, sourced from the destination’s expansive solar farms, featuring 760,500 photovoltaic (PV) panels and one of the world’s largest off-grid Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Currently, all airside operations, including critical infrastructure such as Airfield Ground Lighting, the Instrument Landing System, the meteorological building, and various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, are already powered exclusively by renewable energy. This achievement reflects RSI’s commitment to sustainable innovation and environmental stewardship. Upon project completion in 2030, The Red Sea destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential units across 22 islands and six inland sites. It will …

SAUDIA has signed a strategic partnership with Resal, a leading Saudi company specializing in digital rewards solutions and loyalty programs. This collaboration allows Resal customers to convert their earned points from purchases via the Resal app into AlFursan Reward Miles, granting them access to various travel benefits and exclusive offers from AlFursan Loyalty Program. The agreement was signed by Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at Saudia, and Hatem Al-Kameli, CEO of Resal. Essam Akhonbay stated: “This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing our loyalty offerings and strengthening our connection with AlFursan members. We remain dedicated to expanding our network of partnerships and delivering added value to Saudia’s guests.”  Hatem Al-Kameli said: “We are delighted to partner with AlFursan Loyalty Program, one of the most prominent and prestigious loyalty programs in Saudi Arabia and the region. This partnership reflects Resal’s vision of fostering a culture of loyalty and offering diverse reward experiences that meet our customers’ aspirations.” AlFursan provides its members with an extensive range of benefits, including the option to add an extra piece of checked luggage, priority on waiting lists, bonus miles, and lounge access. Members also enjoy a diverse selection of offers and rewards through 40 global partnerships, including banks, hotels, car rental companies, telecommunications, retailers, and insurance companies. Resal is a leading Saudi company in prepaid digital card solutions, loyalty programs, and rewards, providing integrated technical solutions for businesses, merchants, and individuals through its diverse offerings, which include Resal Business Solutions, Resal Merchant Solutions, and the Resal Wallet. The company is distinguished by its strategic partnerships with over 1,000 entities across the public and private sectors.

SAUDIA has signed an agreement with the Saudi Ministry of Media to strengthen coordination and collaboration across various sectors, including both ground and onboard services. The agreement was finalized during the inaugural ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum and signed by Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, and His Excellency Mishaal Al-Tuwaijri, Assistant Undersecretary for Shared Services at the Ministry of Media. Under this agreement, a dedicated channel for the Ministry of Media will be added to SAUDIA’s in-flight entertainment systems and displayed in Al Fursan lounges. This channel will provide regular updates on the Ministry’s initiatives. Additionally, SAUDIA will offer fast-track and business-class services to the Ministry’s guests and sponsor its events. Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, stated: “In line with SAUDIA’s new identity, we are committed to strengthening our relationships with various government entities to support their objectives. The Ministry of Media plays a pivotal role in showcasing the programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitious projects across various media channels. Displaying the Ministry’s initiatives on Saudia’s screens will significantly boost their visibility, supported by our daily operations of over 600 flights connecting the world to the Kingdom and over 100 destinations worldwide. This agreement aligns with Saudia’s largest project to enhance the guest experience by delivering quality services at every stage of travel and integrating the latest innovations in aviation.” The ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum, a visionary initiative by the Ministry of Media, serves as a premier platform for exchanging expertise and celebrating successful endeavors. The forum spans 14 key areas of influence, including media, artificial intelligence, sports, tourism, entertainment, and culture. It aims to redefine paradigms of media collaboration and create interactive platforms that tell …

SAUDIA Group has collaborated with Riyadh Season 2024 to unveil the “BLVD Runway” zone as part the season. This innovative zone, themed around an airport runway, is now open to visitors featuring three SAUDIA Boeing 777 aircraft that have been transformed to provide a unique setting for entertainment, shopping, dining, and interactive experiences. H.E. Advisor Turki Alalsheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, received a symbolic key to the aircraft from H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group, marking the zone’s official launch, which will continue for two months. The zone, spans 140,000 square meters, and includes 13 retail stores, 13 interactive experiences, and five restaurants. A 12-day spectacle unfolded as the three aircraft were transported overland from Jeddah to Riyadh. Led by H.E. Turki Alsheikh, the journey garnered significant attention on social media, with each city along the route organizing welcoming ceremonies, highlighting the Kingdom’s logistical advancements. The event was thoroughly documented with videos and photos, which received widespread coverage across various media platforms. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group, stated: “We are proud to be part of this historic moment, marking our participation in Riyadh Season, a key enabler of the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. The season has experienced exceptional growth and transformation year after year and is one of the most anticipated entertainment events, under the direct supervision of H.E. Turki Alalsheikh. This collaboration is one of the fruits of Saudia’s sponsorship of Riyadh Season 2024 as a platinum and official airline partner. The launch event featured presentations by technicians from SAUDIA Technic – a subsidiary of SAUDIA Group – detailing the stages of dismantling and transport of the aircraft, two of which …

SAUDIA has launched its seasonal flights to Phuket, marking its second destination in the Kingdom of Thailand after the capital, Bangkok. Musaed Almusaed, Assistant Vice President, International Regions at SAUDIA, stated: “SAUDIA has scheduled flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Phuket, offering 12 weekly flights in both directions. We are committed to enhancing our competitive position and expanding our reach to new destinations, whether scheduled or seasonal. This aligns with the unprecedented and fundamental development of our services, aimed at enriching the travel experience at all stages and exceeding our guests’ expectations.” SAUDIA operates flights to over 100 destinations across four continents, leveraging its current fleet of 144 diverse Boeing and Airbus aircraft. With plans to add 130 new aircraft, SAUDIA aims to expand seating capacity and increase the frequency of flights to existing destinations while also reaching new international markets, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by bringing the world to the Kingdom.

SAUDIA Group has signed a partnership agreement with Saudi Projects in a strategic initiative to enhance local media content and to enrich its in-flight entertainment experience. This collaboration brings episodes of the acclaimed media programs of Saudi Projects to SAUDIA’s BEYOND entertainment system, significantly enhancing the guests’ travel experience. The agreement was signed by Khaled Tash, Group Chief Marketing Officer at SAUDIA, and Eng. Mishal Al-Qassim, Founder and CEO of Saudi Projects. Saudi Projects’ media programs will be highlighted in the “Discover Saudi” library of SAUDIA’s BEYOND entertainment system, providing guests with unique insights into the Kingdom’s ambitious development projects. This is aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on tourism, economic growth, and enhancing the “Quality of Life” Program. Khaled Tash, Group Chief Marketing Officer of SAUDIA, said: “This partnership brings numerous advantages, particularly in strengthening local content, which is a central focus of SAUDIA’s new strategic direction. Our BEYOND entertainment system now offers 243 hours of diverse local content, available in both visual and audio formats. This initiative not only broadens the entertainment choices for our guests but also enhances a key aspect of their travel experience.” BEYOND, SAUDIA’s innovative in-flight entertainment system, offers an immersive and interactive experience, featuring over 5,000 hours of HD content tailored to a wide range of guest preferences and age groups, available in 16 languages. Eng. Mishal Al-Qassim highlighted that this agreement will support Saudi Projects platform in expanding its publishing channels and reaching various audience segments, aiming to achieve the highest levels of engagement with all its programs and media products. These efforts focus on showcasing the Kingdom’s projects, future, and diverse economic opportunities, while also aiming to enhance …

SAUDIA Group announced the launch of “Nartaqi” program, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting and enhancing local capabilities. The program was unveiled during the second edition of the Local Content Forum under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, along with His Excellency the Director General of SAUDIA Group Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, in direct coordination with the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA). “Nartaqi” represents a pivotal part of the Group’s new strategy, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to foster a thriving national economy. The subsidiaries of SAUDIA Group are working in unison to achieve the core objectives of “Nartaqi” program. These objectives focus on maintaining leadership in the aviation industry localization efforts, partnering with stakeholders to enhance the Kingdom’s aviation sector capabilities, and sustainably increasing the contribution of local content to the aviation sector through swift-execution initiatives. Additionally, the program aims to improve the internal and external perception of the Group and its suppliers’ local content footprint. Dr. Ibraheem Sheerah, Chief Transformation Officer and Local Content Head at SAUDIA Group said: “SAUDIA Group has designed the holistic roadmap for “Nartaqi”. The program is structured into three phases: the design and construction phase, which focuses on securing essentials, updating processes and procedures, and developing initiatives; the implementation and development phase, which measures and maximizes impact; and the sustainability assurance phase, achieved through collaboration with partners”. Through “Nartaqi” program, SAUDIA Group prioritizes local manufacturing of aviation parts and components, transforming raw materials into aircraft parts and localizing technical and logistical services. This effort spans the entire supply chain, including supplier network …

SAUDIA announced a partnership between AlFursan loyalty program and Choice Hotels, enabling AlFursan members to join Choice Privileges, the loyalty program of Choice Hotels. The agreement was signed by Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at SAUDIA, and Nour Ghanem, General Manager of Choice Hotels in Saudi Arabia. As part of the partnership, AlFursan members will earn 1,000 AlFursan reward miles for every 5,000 Choice Privileges points converted. Essam Akhonbay, the Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at SAUDIA, commented: “This partnership reflects SAUDIA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its global network of partnerships and offering more exclusive benefits to AlFursan members. With Choice Hotels’ extensive portfolio across the world, this collaboration opens a wealth of new opportunities for our members to enjoy exceptional travel experiences worldwide.” David Beers, CEO of Choice Hotels EMEA, said: “We continue to focus on adding redemption benefits that provide further value for our members so they can redeem the points they have earned by staying at nearly 7,500 Choice Hotels around the world. This new agreement is a great expansion of the rewards and opportunities that are available to the 65 million Choice Privileges members for their travels.” AlFursan members enjoy a wide range of benefits and exclusive offers through extensive local and global partnerships, allowing members to accelerate the earning of Miles to redeem for flights with SAUDIA and our SkyTeam partners.