Saudia and Merit sign agreement to launch AlFursan Store
The new AlFursan Store allows members to redeem their miles for a wide selection of products across various categories, extending the program's value beyond traditional flight rewards. It is designed to boost member satisfaction and encourage deeper engagement with the AlFursan Loyalty Program. Merit will be responsible for implementing and operating the store as the exclusive supplier of all redemption merchandise.
Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at Saudia, said: 'This is a pivotal milestone in the evolution of AlFursan Loyalty Program. The new AlFursan Store will enrich the member's experience by providing a greater range of redemption options. Our partnership with Merit also supports our broader objective of continuous innovation and investment in cutting-edge technology to enhance member services.'
Julie Barbier-Leblan, CEO and Co-Founder at Merit: 'We are incredibly proud to partner with Saudia. The launch of the AlFursan Store marks an important milestone in our shared vision to redefine loyalty and deliver more meaningful value to members. By expanding access to a growing ecosystem of global and local partners, from retailers, unique merchandise, digital platforms and lifestyle services, we are shaping one of the most comprehensive and rewarding loyalty experiences in the region. This launch is just the beginning of a broader journey to make everyday moments more rewarding and to strengthen the connection between Saudia and its valued AlFursan members.'
AlFursan members enjoy access to a wide range of rewards and exclusive offers through a growing network of global and local partners, including leading banks, hotels, car rental companies, telecom providers, retailers, service platforms, insurance firms, and digital booking sites. With the addition of the e-Store, the program continues to strengthen its position as one of the most rewarding and comprehensive loyalty offerings in the region.
About Saudia:
Saudia (Saudia Airlines) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle East's largest airlines.
Saudia has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet, with 147 aircraft. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia.
A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Saudia has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012.
Saudia was recently recognized as the World's Most Improved Airline 2024 by Skytrax, marking the third time it has received this accolade, alongside 14 other distinguished awards. Saudia has also been awarded the "World Class Airline 2024" for the third consecutive year at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ awards. Additionally, also ranked top among global airlines for best on-time performance (OTP) according to a report by Cirium.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Flat6Labs Grows Bigger: Introducing F6 Group to launch F6 Ventures, the new venture capital arm
F6 Group, a newly formed entity integrating venture capital and entrepreneurial support, announces its official launch, anchored by two powerful arms: F6 Ventures, a newly launched seed-stage investment firm, and Flat6Labs ( the region's most recognized startup accelerator platform. Together, they represent a bold evolution of the company's 14-year journey, bringing sharper focus, expanded reach, and deeper capabilities to support founders and ecosystems across the Middle East and Africa. At the core of this transformation is F6 Ventures, the Group's dedicated venture capital arm to be managing six funds with over $90 million in assets under management (AUM) and a track record of 300+ companies invested into by the Partners. Focused on seed and early-stage investments across the Middle East and Africa, F6 Ventures is positioned to become a market leader in seed-stage investing across emerging ecosystems, as it addresses a pressing funding gap at the most critical phase of startup development: the pre-seed and seed stages. Co-Founded by Dina el-Shenoufy and Ramez El-Serafy, the firm leverages F6 Group's extensive regional presence and legacy of empowering entrepreneurial talent, through the long-standing work of Flat6Labs, previously under the leadership of el-Shenoufy and El-Serafy, to back visionary founders, scale tech-driven innovation, and create lasting value for stakeholders. 'F6 Ventures marks a new era in our journey, bringing focused capital and sharper execution to support the region's boldest founders.' said Dina el-Shenoufy, Co-Founder and General Partner at F6 Ventures. 'We are extending our commitment to early-stage startups to help them scale from idea to impact.' Backed by the extensive regional footprint and entrepreneurial legacy of F6 Group and headquartered in Cairo, with offices in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Amman Tunis, and Nairobi, F6 Ventures is also led by the regional partners, namely Eyad Albayouk, Ryaan Sharif, Rasha Manna, Walid Triki, and Christine Namara. Together, this seasoned leadership team brings decades of experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and market development across the Middle East and Africa. 'Over more than a decade, we've empowered thousands of founders and helped bold ideas grow into market-leading startups. I'm excited to begin this new chapter with F6 Ventures helping founders scale faster and drive the next wave of innovation,' said Ramez El-Serafy, Co-Founder and General Partner at F6 Ventures. Meanwhile, maintaining the regionally renowned brand name, and with the leadership of newly appointed CEO, Yehia Houry, Flat6Labs sharpens its focus on founder support, innovation, and ecosystem growth across emerging markets. Building on more than 14 years of proven impact, it remains the region's leading platform for world-class startup programs and ecosystem-building initiatives, deepening its mission to empower entrepreneurs and drive regional innovation . Both entities operate under the unified structure of F6 Group led by Dina el-Shenoufy as CEO and Hany Al Sonbaty, Founder and Chairman, ensuring a unified strategy that combines venture capital and entrepreneurial support programs to advance innovation across emerging markets. Looking ahead, F6 Ventures plans to launch multiple new regional funds across Africa, the GCC, and Levant, with a goal of expanding its AUMs to $200 million and investing in over 200 companies within the next five years. F6 Group brings together venture capital and founder support under one platform, purpose-built to serve startups across emerging markets. By aligning investment and programmatic expertise, F6 Group delivers unmatched access to capital, programs, and expertise - turning visionary founders into market leaders. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Flat6Labs. For press inquiries, contact info@
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Sir Richard Branson joins jury for Zayed Sustainability Prize
is among the high-profile names confirmed as members of the jury for the Zayed Sustainability Prize on Tuesday. Other names include Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, Mariam Al Mehairi, Head of the Office of International Affairs, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, Dr Nawal Al Hosany, UAE's Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland, Dr Andreas Jacobs, Chairman of INSEAD, Wang Chuan-fu, chairman and CEO of BYD, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President, Indigenous Women & Peoples Association of Chad Cochair, and Dr Ing Christian Bruch, President and CEO of Siemens Energy. The Zayed Sustainability Prize, now in its 17th year, received 7,761 entries from 173 countries for its 2026 awards event, vying for recognition in its six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Delivering sustainable solutions The surge in applications marked a 30 per cent increase on the previous awards cycle, with a notable increase in technology-focused projects such as AI and FinTech tools. 'The record number of submissions to this year's prize cycle reflects a growing global commitment to practical, scalable solutions that deliver long-term impact," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and director general of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. "Across all categories, the increased use of AI and other advanced technologies highlights how innovation is being harnessed to drive inclusive, community-led progress." The prize, which honours the legacy of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, empowers small to medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organisations and high schools to deliver high-impact, sustainable solutions. Analysis of the 2026 cycle has shown 85 per cent of submissions came from developing or emerging economies, with India, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Brazil and Indonesia among the top contributing nations. Winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on January 13, 2026, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Each of the five category winners will receive $1 million, while high schools – representing the world's regions – will be awarded $150,000 each to implement or expand their sustainability projects.
Gulf Business
4 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Asian Paints launches world's first internal curing concrete additive in UAE
Image: Asian Paints 'With CureAssure, we're not just launching a product; we're redefining a foundational step in construction. This innovation reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions that work in the real world,' said Joseph Eapen, CEO of Asian Paints. Joseph Eapen, CEO of Asian Paints Curing is one of the most critical but often overlooked phases in concrete construction, influencing structural strength and durability. In the Middle East, this step is frequently compromised by extreme temperatures, labour constraints, and compressed project timelines. These site challenges often result in shrinkage cracks and reduced long-term performance. Asian Paints' CureAssure addresses these issues by introducing internal curing directly into the concrete mix. The additive enables hydration to occur from within, eliminating the need for external water or surface curing compounds. This approach reduces plastic shrinkage and cracking, ensures greater durability, and guarantees consistency across varying site conditions. It also aligns the performance of on-site concrete with laboratory-tested standards — a vital requirement for real-world reliability. 'Developing CureAssure meant rethinking curing from the inside out,' said Amit DasGupta, chief senior manager – Technology, AP Global. 'Rather than treating symptoms on the surface, we focused on solving the root cause, by embedding water availability directly where it's needed. The result is a more robust, reliable concrete structure, regardless of the environment it's placed in.' CureAssure has received approval from Dubai Municipality and validation from ICC-ES. Free of hazardous substances, it is compatible with all types of Portland cement, pozzolanic blends, and both water-reducing (WR) and set-retarding (SR) admixtures. The additive meets globally recognised standards including ACI 308 guidelines for internal curing, ACI 318 structural durability provisions, ASTM C494/C494M Type S, and EN 934-2 European admixture compatibility norms. Aligned with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, CureAssure's elimination of external curing also removes the need for desalinated water in the construction process. Asian Paints estimates that the water saved annually could fill 3,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools, irrigate over 6,000 acres of desert farmland, or meet the monthly water needs of 450,000 households. The solution also contributes to low-carbon, zero-waste construction practices by reducing the need for water transport, on-site manpower, and curing-related emissions. With over 80 years of expertise in coatings and construction materials, Asian Paints is among the top two paint companies in Asia and operates 26 manufacturing plants across 15 countries. The launch of CureAssure represents a strategic expansion of its regional footprint and underscores the company's commitment to delivering smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure solutions across the GCC.
