SGS signs five-year deal for Red Sea Airport operations
The Saudi Ground Services Company (SGS) has signed a five-year strategic agreement in Riyadh with daa International, operator of the Red Sea International Airport, to provide ground handling services for all airlines at Red Sea International Airport, adhering to the highest operational standards and environmental sustainability practices.
Under this agreement, SGS will be responsible for providing passenger services within the terminal and overseeing all apron operations, including aircraft marshalling, pushback, towing, ground power delivery, and baggage handling services.
SGS CEO Mohammed Mazi and Red Sea International Airport CEO Andrew Tyler-Smith signed the agreement in the presence of Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano, along with several senior executives and professionals from the aviation and airport services industry.
Mazi said this partnership to deliver ground handling services at Red Sea International Airport is among the kingdom's flagship projects that reflect its ambition in tourism and sustainable development.
He emphasized that providing services at new airports, such as the Red Sea, underscores the company's commitment to actively contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and supporting the integrated air transport and tourism system.
Tyler-Smith said that the partnership with SGS strengthens the operational and sustainability pillars of Red Sea International Airport.
The premium services to be provided at the Red Sea International Airport will make it one of the most competitive airports in the Kingdom in terms of service quality, he added.
Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Air taxis in Saudi Arabia: Abdul Latif Jameel and Joby Aviation sign $1bn future transport deal
A business group in Saudi Arabia will partner with a futuristic US aviation firm on a $1bn deal to bring flying taxis to the Kingdom. The groundbreaking electric aircraft partnership will see Abdul Latif Jameel team up with Joby Aviation to explore a distribution agreement for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The potential deal, valued at approximately $1bn, could deliver up to 200 aircraft in the coming years, marking a pivotal step in Saudi Arabia's clean transportation ambitions. Flying taxis in Saudi Arabia The announcement builds on the deepening economic ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with both nations investing heavily in next-generation, sustainable infrastructure. Joby Aviation, known for its piloted, all-electric aircraft designed to carry four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, represents the forefront of urban air mobility. With zero operating emissions and significantly reduced noise levels, Joby's aircraft are poised to redefine short-distance travel. JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: 'This collaboration is about bringing America's leadership in electric air mobility to the world. Together with Abdul Latif Jameel, we're not just imagining a cleaner, safer, more efficient future—we're building it. And there is no better partner to help unlock the extraordinary opportunity for air travel in the region.' Hassan Jameel, Vice Chairman, Saudi Arabia, Abdul Latif Jameel, said: 'Saudi Arabia is transitioning toward a new era of mobility – one that is on-demand, shared, connected, and sustainable. eVTOL is an exciting and important component of this. 'We are looking forward to collaborating with Joby to support the transformation of the Kingdom's mobility sector. This collaboration also comes as Abdul Latif Jameel Motors marks 70 years of distributing Toyota in Saudi Arabia — a strategic investor in Joby.' Joby's collaboration with Abdul Latif Jameel will initially focus on Saudi Arabia, where Abdul Latif Jameel has an extensive presence, network and deep operational experience. The two businesses will work together to explore distribution and sales collaborations, the launch of local air taxi services, including the establishment of aftermarket services such as MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), and pilot training. Joby's piloted, all-electric aircraft is designed to carry four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph, offering high-speed mobility with a fraction of the noise produced by helicopters and zero operating emissions. Joby Aviation aims to launch its first commercial passenger flights in Dubai by 2026, with expansion into Saudi Arabia envisioned soon after. The deal also reflects Abdul Latif Jameel's broader investment strategy in future mobility. The Jameel family previously invested in Joby's Series C funding round, led by Toyota Motor Corporation in 2020.
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Hajj 2025 begins: Thousands of UAE pilgrims arrive in Makkah for sacred journey
As Haya Qawas stepped into the view of the Holy Ka'aba, she felt as if she had been transported to another world. The sight of the sacred stone building brought her to tears, and her heart raced with joy. "It was like I had been waiting for this moment my whole life," she told Khaleej Times. Qawas is among thousands of pilgrims from the UAE who have travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah. This year, Saudi authorities have implemented stricter measures to protect pilgrims from the intense heat, as temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C. Hajj begins on Wednesday, June 4, and will continue until Monday, June 9. What is Hajj? Hajj is a religious obligation for all Muslims, with exceptions made for those who are elderly, disabled, or financially unable to participate. It is a spiritual milestone in the life of every Muslim, where people of all walks of life — rich and poor, young and old — stand together in identical white garments, stripped of status and worldly attachments. 'Those were days of physical exhaustion, but I experienced a kind of emotional and spiritual peace I had never known before,' Qawas said, referring to the journey to Makkah. 'I truly felt close to my Lord, as if my sins were melting away with every tear, every tawaf (the act of walking around the Ka'aba), and every weakness." Abdulrahim Shraim, Qawas' husband, felt much of the same feelings, his heart beaming with joy at the sight of the Ka'aba. This will be his first time performing Haj, and Shraim and an estimated 1.8 mn pilgrims are preparing the long and strenuous journey. The high temperatures will add on to his exhaustion but said that it will be worth it. Her husband, Abdulrahim Shraim, who is performing Hajj for the first time, echoed her sentiments. The high temperatures are adding to the physical fatigue, but Shraim believes the experience will be worth it. 'All the travel fatigue vanished, and my heart felt so light,' he said. The married couple are among the estimated 1.8 million pilgrims who will be performing Hajj this year. 'Greater reward' When Khaleej Times last spoke to Sarah Tiry, she was preparing to embark on a night journey to Mina, an area 8km southeast of the city of Makkah which houses hundreds of thousands of tents to accommodate pilgrims. The stay-at-home mum from South Africa will board a bus along with her group that will leave for Mina at 2.30am. From there, she expects to make the trek from Arafah to Muzdalifah. 'There are times where the bus route may have taken an extra hour to reach our hotel, but that was due to the police blockages around the Makkah area, but Alhamdulillah we are meant to bear with a little inconvenience for the greater reward of this journey,' she said. Tiry also shared that she had prepared for the heat by wearing a cotton hijab and using unscented products, as Muslims in the Ihram, a sacred state a Muslim must enter in to perform the Haj, cannot use perfumes or strongly scented products. Although travelling with her husband, she found companionship and support from two women she met during the trip. 'I've made 2 friends and it's like we've known one another forever,' she said. 'The support, familiarity and companionship you get is like no other in a short space of time. It's something you need while you're here as a lot of the time you won't be with your partner." Layali al-Tashriq Jaseem Khateebi, a Dubai resident, is also travelling with his wife and other family members for Hajj. 'We haven't started our journey to Mina yet. Because of the extreme heat, we will either go later this evening or early tomorrow morning." The stay in Mina, known as Layali al-Tashriq, is a time for pilgrims to recite the Holy Quran, offer prayers and nawafil, perform dhikr, and listen to Islamic lectures. Currently, Jaseem and his group are staying in Aziziya, a neighbourhood close to the holy sites. Khateebi described the crowds this year as massive, and while travelling to the holy sites is difficult due to the heat, he noted that most pilgrims stay inside their accommodations during the hottest part of the day. 'During the afternoon, hardly anyone steps outside, it's just too hot. Most pilgrims stay inside their hotels or accommodations until the temperatures drop,' he said. Jaseem added that many prefer to visit Masjid Al Haram in the evening or early morning. Despite the scorching heat and the large number of pilgrims, Jaseem commended the organisers for ensuring a smooth and safe experience. 'There are clear signage, regular announcements, and people helping us all along the way. It gives us peace of mind, especially for the elderly in our group,' he added. Organisations across the UAE, including the Abu Dhabi Rehabilitation Centre and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, sponsor free Hajj trips for Emiratis who are unable to afford the pilgrimage, including the elderly, widows, and divorced women. The official Hajj delegation of the country will also look after UAE pilgrims in the holy site by giving them free healthcare services and preparing them for their journeys.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia, UAE lead office quality fit-out investments
The corporate sentiment in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is geared towards targeted investments in overall space design and fit-outs to support return-to-office strategies, according to leading real estate expert JLL. This has accelerated demand for high-quality Grade A office spaces and fit-outs that enhance workplace experience and performance. In its latest 'EMEA Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2025', JLL has identified Saudi Arabia and the UAE among the top countries globally with a high proportion of cost for high quality finishes, averaging more than $2,400/sqm, against the global average of $1,830/sqm, as workplace design becomes a component part of talent attraction and retention. The JLL EMEA Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2025, which analyses data from 25 countries to provide insights into cost variations, drivers, sustainability concerns, and market sentiment, has also outlined the complex cost pressures for the EMEA construction sector in 2025, with office fit-out costs increasing in the last 12 months. The steady rise in costs reflects the growing trend of organisations (44%) in the region to increase office-based workdays over the next five years. Dubai also ranks among the top 20 cities globally in the City Cost Index, reflecting continued competition for Grade A spaces, while in Saudi Arabia, initiatives such as regional headquarters (RHQ) programme is also driving demand. JLL has also found that sustainability is a key driver in many relocation strategies and office fit-outs, with 68% of organisations globally planning to increase investment in sustainability performance in the next five years. In MEA, the sentiment is strongest in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where 78% of corporate real estate leaders aim to enhance value through sustainability. Maroun Deeb, Head of Project & Development Services, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at JLL, said: "The general optimism towards investing in workspaces is likely to continue throughout 2025 as growth-oriented corporations invest in office fit-outs to support their hybrid workplace policies." "Targeted investments to enhance employee experience will see an increased focus on workplace design, innovative technology solutions, and refurbishment opportunities amid growing interest in healthier, energy-efficient workspaces," he stated. Several factors are contributing to the current market dynamics. Supply chain disruptions in 2024 disproportionately affected the Middle East and North Africa, tightening project timeframes and escalating pricing. According to JLL, builders' works, which includes partitions, flooring, finishes, and joinery, typically accounts for the largest component of fit-out costs, ranging from 26% in Cairo and 36% in the UAE to 40% in Saudi Arabia. These costs are among the most susceptible to raw material prices and supply chain risks, it stated. Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) services now account for a higher proportion of office spend as stricter environmental and sustainability standards require more complex systems. Cairo (39%) ranks among the top cities globally for average proportion of costs per sqm for M&E services, while Dubai (30%) and Riyadh (29%) are on par with the global average cost of 29%. Technology integration is also pivotal to enhancing hybrid work environments across all office typologies, with companies in MEA investing in improved and extended AV systems. Gary Tracey, the Head of Project & Development Services UAE at JLL, said: "The demand for high-performance office spaces is intensifying in the UAE as stakeholders increasingly prioritise environmental considerations to drive asset value." "Offices that embrace innovative technologies and sustainable design principles and have higher levels of green certification command a premium, especially in Dubai. Investments to improve sustainability will mitigate future operational expenses, remaining highly attractive to tenants seeking modern, efficient workplaces," he added. JLL said the momentum for sustainable workplaces continues to surge in the region, driven by corporate commitments, evolving expectations, and stricter regulatory requirements. Companies are weighing the cost-benefits of relocation to newer Grade A buildings compared to upgrading existing assets. However, organisations in the region face challenges in meeting sustainability requirements due to limited suitable stock and high costs of upgrading older buildings. To address these challenges, early planning and integration of sustainability targets in relocation strategies and fit-out projects are crucial, it stated. Ahmed Hemmat, Head of Project & Development Services at JLL in Egypt, said: "In a climate of economic uncertainty, organisations that build flexibility and agility into planning will be better positioned to adapt their work settings to evolving workforce needs." "This also supports leasing decisions, as flex spaces optimise costs for landlords and occupiers and create a more engaging and productive work environment to support the needs of today's hybrid work model," he added. Despite the complex landscape of challenges and opportunities, office construction will remain active in the region. To ensure the success of fit-out initiatives, JLL recommends the need for greater collaboration and effective partnerships. From environmental and smart building systems to adaptive workspaces and settings, supply chain engagement is critical in managing costs and allowing for innovation in future-focused workspaces. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
