Tag Archives: Saudia

In honour of Saudi National Day, IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a partnership with ALFURSAN to launch a limited time offer allowing IHG One Rewards and ALFURSAN members to earn triple ALFURSAN Reward Miles when booking a stay at any IHG Hotels & Resorts property worldwide.* The exclusive offer enables guests to earn three times the number of base miles that they would normally receive on a room night rate and eligible charges at InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Regent® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, HUALUXE® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations®, Holiday Inn Resort®, EVEN® Hotels, voco® Hotels, Vignette™ Collection, Atwell Suites™, avid® Hotels, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas, and The Venetian® Macao. Some Six Senses® Hotels, Resorts & Spas and Iberostar Beachfront Resorts properties are also included in the promotion. The ‘3X Miles’ offer is valid for registrations and hotel bookings made from 14 September to 14 October 2023 at any of the listed IHG Hotels & Resorts destinations worldwide. IHG One Rewards – the global loyalty program from IHG Hotels & Resorts – is designed to give members more value, enhanced benefits, and the flexibility to choose to be rewarded in their own way. Loyalty members can access IHG’s world of 18 brands and more than 6,000 hotels all in the palm of their hands through its all-new mobile app. ALFURSAN has over 7.5 million members worldwide. Through its frequent flyer programme, travellers can access an extensive range of benefits, including flight redemptions, flight upgrades, partner offers, no expiration on miles, and more. Register and book a stay …

Red Sea Global, The Red Sea and Amaala signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and daa International, the operator of Red Sea International (RSI) airport, that will see SAUDIA become the first airline to operate in and out of the Red Sea International airport (RSI). RSI is on track to open this year along with the first three resorts at The Red Sea destination. Initially it will open for domestic flights to and from Riyadh and later Jeddah, before expanding to handle international flights from 2024. “In 2016, His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, set out a vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A vision for a thriving country, one that was recognized as a global hub, where people from all around the world would come to experience the best of Saudi culture, hospitality and nature,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. “When the first commercial flight lands at Red Sea International, it won’t just be a point of personal pride for Red Sea Global. It will be a milestone moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in making that vision a reality. It is fitting, therefore, that the Kingdom’s flag carrier, SAUDIA, will be first to operate from our destination,” said John Pagano, Group CEO, Red Sea Global.” The agreement will see SAUDIA commence regular scheduled services to and from RSI. It also provides a framework for the three organizations to undertake joint research on the use of Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Red Sea International Airport. The use of electric vertical take-off and landing jets (eVTOL) to reduce emissions from air travel to …

SAUDIA Group announced that its performance reports, following the Hajj Season 2023, show distinguished operating rates during the peak of the summer travel season from May 21st to August 2nd, 2023. SAUDIA Group’s performance during this period peaked as the airline allocated more than 1.2 million seats for Hajj pilgrims, while operating 79,000 flights. SAUDIA’s fleet flew an average of half a million hours, while recording an on-time-performance rate of 83.8%. Meanwhile, 1,768 pilots and assistant pilots have also contributed to SAUDIA’s success by managing the flights efficiently, while the guest cabin crew worked at full capacity during the season, with a total of 6,063 crewmembers, who speak more than 42 languages, working during the summer months. The Hajj season also saw the mobilization of the Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) which operated at full capacity with its automated capabilities and qualified cadres to ensure the provision of the best services. SAEI dedicated a specialized team to support during Hajj season which included the allocation of 112 maintenance stations which were operated by 1,154 technicians. In addition, SAEI supplied SAUDIA with 3,896 different types of aircraft parts while the time spent on maintenance amounted to 50,700 hours. SAEI has obtained many international licenses and certificates from the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the US Federal Aviation Authority, the European Organization for Aviation Safety, among others. Moreover, SAEI obtained licenses approved by manufacturers which allow the company to manufacture aircraft spare parts in a limited capacity. The Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC) has also played a major role during the Hajj season, as they provided best-in class production of meals that comply with the best international standards. SACC also provided comprehensive …

SAUDIA launched its first direct flight to Beijing, China, in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP). This milestone falls in line with Saudi Aviation Strategy, which recognizes the importance of air connectivity in targeting key markets, such as China, and accommodating increasing demand from international tourists seeking to discover the treasures of Saudi Arabia. His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group said: “We are proud to expand our operations and offer new destinations to our guests. China is a very important route for SAUDIA, and the introduction of the new direct flights to and from Beijing not only boosts tourism but also strengthens the overall economic and cultural ties between the two nations. It facilitates increased travel, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, fostering stronger bilateral relations. Tourism is a pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, and China is ranked among the top global sources of tourists. This new route will be another large step forward towards Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic diversification agenda and it can achieve much growth with more Chinese vacationers coming to the Kingdom.”

SAUDIA announced the expansion of its fleet with the addition of new aircraft type, Airbus A321neo under the slogan “A neo-way of flying.” This feeds into SAUDIA’s expansion plans as the airline aims to add 20 more A321neo aircrafts to its fleet by 2026. The A321neo aircraft is a narrow-body airliner part of the A320 family, the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft family and airlines’ preferred choice with airlines around the world due to its reputation for high performance and superior comfort. The aircraft offers new levels of performance, seating 180 to 220 passengers in a typical two-class interior layout. The main reason behind the purchase of the aircraft is its ability to run on much less fuel. The A320 family of aircraft have saved 20 million tons of Co2 since the A320neo came into service globally in 2016. By incorporating Sharklets, new fuel-efficient engines and latest cabin innovations, the A320neo has also seen a 20 per cent decrease in fuel burning and Co2 emissions, a 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint, a 5 per cent lower airframe maintenance costs and a 14 per cent lower cash operating costs per seat versus previous generation aircraft. Captain Ibrahim Koshy SAUDIA CEO said: “We are excited to expand our fleet with the new Airbus A321neo aircraft. Our priority is to offer the best guest experience possible and to bring the world to Saudi Arabia, and we will continue to purchase state-of-the-art aircraft from the world’s top manufacturers to deliver on that promise.” Koshy added: “We commend Airbus for continuously looking to improve the performance of their aircraft, which goes in line with SAUDIA’s ambition to provide the best guests experience possible …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) announces its participation in the 2023 Hankook London ePrix, the final race of season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Champion-ship, taking place on July 29th-30th at ExCel London, UK. Guests will have the chance to enjoy SAUDIA’s innovative and digital ‘DISCOVER E-Zone’ located in the Allianz Fan Village. As the Official Airline Partner of the all-electric series, SAUDIA has already proudly welcomed close to 10,000 visitors to its activation booths in Jakarta and Rome, where the two previous races took place. SAUDIA’s presence at the London E-Prix further emphasizes the airline’s partnership with Formula E, with innovation and sustainability at its heart. SAUDIA’s ‘DISCOVER E-Zone’ is in line with the airline’s and Formula E’s common efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Designed using AirClad technology, the stand boasts a reusable main structure and employs lightweight, sustainable materials to minimize its environment impact. This innovative design allows for the stand to be easily disassembled, and can easily be transported from one city to another. Formula E champion and SAUDIA ambassador for the 2023 season Stoffel Vandoorne, will be present at the stand to meet the fans, delivering an unforgettable experience at part of SAU-DIA’s ‘Take your Seat’ campaign. SAUDIA Chief Marketing Officer, Khaled Tash said: “We are excited to be part of the thrilling Hankook London E-Prix and to welcome guests to the ‘DISCOVER E-Zone’. We look forward to engaging with fans, showcasing our dedication to the sport, and offering them an unforget-table journey as they enjoy the final race of this incredible championship season. ” SAUDIA and Formula E’s partnership come as part of a series of sustainability and innovation -focused investments, such …

SAUDIA unveiled a range of cutting-edge seat models for its upcoming fleet, and to retrofit its current fleet, as part of an array of innovative initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the travel experience. The three-day event took place at the SAUDIA club and exhibited a range of seating models for its Business and Economy class seats. These proposed models are intended to be installed in SAUDIA’s forthcoming fleet of Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft, set to join the airline’s fleet starting in 2025. The total number of aircraft to be received is 39. Alongside this, the airline is also undertaking continuous developmental projects for its current fleet of Airbus A330 and Boeing B777, which involve implementing guest feedback to retrofit the existing blue seats and an upgrade of the in-flight entertainment systems with a new system called BEYOND. The new system is set to provide guests with a rich interactive experience tailored to meet the needs of various age groups and passenger types. This initiative is a part of SAUDIA’s broader aim to radically transform the travel experience in alignment with its expansion plans to increase the number of destinations, thereby connecting the Kingdom with the world. The event saw attendance and sought feedback from members of the Al-Fursan loyalty program and was graced by the presence of His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group. The display included a new suite for the Business class, featuring a fully flat 180-degree seat with automatic sliding doors. Some showcased suites also boasted a 32-inch screen with 4K resolution. Economy class seat models were also presented, equipped with the latest comfort features, including storage areas and 13.3-inch seatback entertainment screens. These …

SAUDIA shares that there was a noteworthy 52% increase in the number of international guests transported during the first half of 2023, with a total of 7.4 million guests. Additionally, the airline operated 37,600 flights, marking a significant 30% growth. SAUDIA extended its reach to four continents, accumulating an impressive 180,700 flight hours, a remarkable 40% increase compared to previous periods. The report also underscores the successful transport of 6.3 million guests on domestic routes, achieved through the operation of 47,700 flights, accumulating 80,800 flight hours. SAUDIA (Saudi Arabian Airlines) continues to contribute to the development of tourism, business, Hajj and Umrah sectors with their remarkable operational performance, as evident by the performance report for the first half of 2023. The report highlights the transportation of over 13.7 million guests on both domestic and international routes, representing a substantial 24% increase compared to the same period last year. This impressive feat was accomplished through the operation of 85,400 flights, reflecting a growth rate of 6%. Furthermore, flight hours surged by an impressive 22%, reaching a total of 261,600 hours. Notably, the overall flight punctuality rate reached an impressive 86,3%. Capt. Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, highlighted the outstanding flight operations, punctuality rates, and guest transportation achieved during this period. These accomplishments align with the airline’s commitment to efficiency and operational safety, which are of paramount importance. Capt. Koshy also emphasized the crucial role played by the national flag carrier in supporting the growth of the tourism, business, Hajj and Umrah sectors through strategic partnerships. Moreover, SAUDIA has increased its seat capacity and flight frequency to cater to the growing demand for travel, firmly establishing itself as a key player in …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) continues to implement its operational plan for Summer 2023 by providing over 7.4 million seats for domestic and international routes during July and August, a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The airline will operate more than 32,400 flights, reflecting a 4% increase. These measures aim to meet high demand during peak seasons and ensure smooth operations, efficient reservations for scheduled and seasonal destinations, and streamlined processes at airports. For international flights, SAUDIA is providing more than 4.2 million seats, achieving a 16% increase. Additionally, the airline is introducing over 14,800 flights , reflecting a 15% increase. On domestic routes, over 3.2 million seats will be available through 17,600 flights. The operational plan for the summer of 2023 is continuously monitored by dedicated teams to evaluate its performance. Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, emphasized the airline’s extensive experience in managing operations throughout the year, especially during peak seasons. The plan includes increasing flights, seat capacity, and introducing seasonal destinations to meet guests’ needs while providing excellent services. He also acknowledged the various challenges in the aviation industry. One upcoming challenge is managing the departure of Hajj pilgrims from Makkah. The airline has implemented comprehensive procedures and prepared the necessary facilities to ensure a successful summer season and Hajj pilgrimage. SAUDIA relies on its young fleet and dedicated team from Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) to maintain on-time performance of the aircraft. Earlier this year, SAUDIA Group announced the addition of 25 new international destinations, expanding its network to over 100 destinations. This expansion aims to provide more options for travelers and to connect the world with Saudi Arabia. As part of the …

SAUDIA has launched its first direct flight to its new international destination Birmingham, United Kingdom in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP). The program was launched in 2021 to support tourism growth in the Kingdom by enhancing air connectivity and developing existing and prospective air routes, connecting Saudi Arabia to new destinations. Manal Alshehri, Vice President of Passenger Sales at SAUDIA said: “We are proud to be expanding our operations in the United Kingdom and continue to regularly offer new destinations to our guests. The United Kingdom is a very important destination for SAUDIA, and the launch of new direct flights to and from Birmingham highlights the strengthening of relations between our two countries. We’re also very grateful for the continuous support from the Air Connectivity Program, which enables us to continue to grow as we work towards our objective to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.” Sultan Otaify, Vice President of Strategy and Communication at ACP said: “In collaboration with ACP, SAUDIA has launched a direct flight to Birmingham, a city steeped in history and a renowned hub of the Industrial Revolution. As this new route becomes part of the growing air network facilitated by ACP, it significantly contributes to the flourishing tourism between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It is through such bilateral initiatives that we witness the positive trajectory of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom’s relationship, as both countries strive to simplify and streamline travel processes. ACP is committed to empowering carriers in their efforts to unlock new destinations and travel experiences that showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions of Saudi Arabia.’’ The inaugural SAUDIA flight going from Jeddah to Birmingham (SV …