Latest news with #EssamAkhonbay
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Saudia's AlFursan Loyalty Program Earns Triple Honors at the 2025 Freddie Awards
Recognized for Excellence in Loyalty Innovation and Member-Centric Rewards JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has achieved significant recognition at the 2025 Freddie Awards, with its AlFursan Loyalty Program earning three major accolades. The program was honored with 'Best Elite Program – Airline Category', 'Best Promotion' and 'Best Loyalty Credit Card' awards. These awards underscore AlFursan's commitment to delivering innovative and valuable experiences to its members. The "Best Elite Program – Airline Category" award reflects AlFursan's seamless and rewarding experience, offering effortless mile earning and redemption opportunities. Building on this success in member engagement, AlFursan also received the 'Best Promotion' award for its '94% Bonus Miles When Purchasing Miles' campaign. This initiative was acknowledged for enabling members to significantly boost their mile balances, opening doors to aspirational travel opportunities. Furthermore, AlFursan's commitment to providing comprehensive loyalty benefits was recognized with the 'Best Loyalty Credit Card' award. This accolade was given for its co-branded credit card offering with Al Rajhi Bank, highlighting its innovative approach to transforming everyday spending into valuable travel benefits through generous welcome bonuses and competitive earning rates. For North American guests, joining the AlFursan Loyalty Program means access to a world of exclusive benefits tailored to enhance their travel experiences. Members can enjoy seamless connections through Saudia's extensive network, including priority boarding, additional baggage allowances, and access to luxurious lounges. The program also offers unique opportunities to earn and redeem miles across the SkyTeam alliance, making international travel more rewarding and accessible. 'This triple recognition affirms AlFursan's leadership in loyalty innovation and our commitment to delivering meaningful value to our members. We've reimagined what a loyalty program can offer—flexibility, lasting rewards, and miles that never expire,' said Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at Saudia. 'As we continue to expand our partnerships and digital capabilities, AlFursan remains dedicated to creating seamless, rewarding journeys that inspire loyalty for life.' AlFursan is designed to deliver more value at every stage of the journey. Members can earn miles when flying with Saudia or any SkyTeam alliance partner, as well as through everyday spending with a wide range of partners, including hotels, car rental agencies, and retail brands. The program 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. With a user-friendly digital platform, members can easily manage their accounts, track miles, and access personalized offers. 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 144 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 awarded the "World Class Airline 2025" for the fourth consecutive year at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ awards. Saudia has also advanced 11 places in the Skytrax airlines ranking of the World Best Airlines 2023. The Airline also ranked top among global airlines for best on-time performance (OTP) according to a report by Cirium. For more information on Saudia, please visit Media CenterSaudi Arabian Airlines HeadquartersJeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaEmail: mediacenter@
Biz Bahrain
22-04-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Saudia unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', a high-tech Hajj & Umrah innovation
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia – on World Creativity and Innovation Day – unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', the world's first high-tech garment designed to cool the body while performing the Islamic rituals of Hajj and Umrah. This pioneering product – developed in partnership with Landor and brrr®, will make its debut during the Arabian Travel Market 2025 (ATM) in Dubai, positioning Saudia at the forefront of Hajj & Umrah innovation. Envisioned by Saudia, created by Landor and brought to life by leading U.S. cooling fabric company brrr®, the Coolest Ihram, 'The Coolest Ihram' uses patented cooling minerals, active wicking and rapid drying to lower your skin temperature by 1-2°C depending on environment and individual metabolic rate. Along with UPF 50+ sun protection, this lab-tested, athletic-grade technology creates a cool personal microclimate for each pilgrim, while adhering to the Islamic principles of Ihram for both men and women. The launch comes at a pivotal time, as the Kingdom prepares for Hajj this summer while mobilizing efforts to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage season. As the leading Hajj & Umrah carrier, Saudia aims to set a new benchmark in religious tourism, adding to its commitment of supporting the Kingdom's targets of six million Hajj pilgrims and 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. Essam Akhonbay, VP Marketing at Saudia, said: 'At Saudia, we are committed to continuous innovation across all aspects of aviation. Our goal is to enhance the travel experience for every guest. 'The Coolest Ihram' exemplifies our dedication to pioneering advancements that ensure comfort and focus on what truly matters during their journey.' Offering Landor's perspective, Luc Speisser, Global Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, said: 'We saw an opportunity not only to elevate Saudia's brand internationally, but to do it in a meaningful way, making a positive difference to passengers, during the journey of a lifetime. As a brand, Saudia promises innovation, and with the 'Coolest Ihram', they're putting that promise into practice.' Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of brrr®, said: 'We were incredibly excited to partner with Landor and Saudia on this project, because we knew the difference it would make to pilgrims, in one of the most important moments of their lives. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to build new relationships and break new ground, while demonstrating the performance power of our fabrics.' The 'Coolest Ihram' will be available to Saudia guests beginning of June 2025, with further details to be announced soon.
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudia unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', a high-tech Hajj & Umrah innovation
Jeddah: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia – on World Creativity and Innovation Day – unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', the world's first high-tech garment designed to cool the body while performing the Islamic rituals of Hajj and Umrah. This pioneering product – developed in partnership with Landor and brrr®, will make its debut during the Arabian Travel Market 2025 (ATM) in Dubai, positioning Saudia at the forefront of Hajj & Umrah innovation. Envisioned by Saudia, created by Landor and brought to life by leading U.S. cooling fabric company brrr®, the Coolest Ihram, 'The Coolest Ihram' uses patented cooling minerals, active wicking and rapid drying to lower your skin temperature by 1-2°C depending on environment and individual metabolic rate. Along with UPF 50+ sun protection, this lab-tested, athletic-grade technology creates a cool personal microclimate for each pilgrim, while adhering to the Islamic principles of Ihram for both men and women. The launch comes at a pivotal time, as the Kingdom prepares for Hajj this summer while mobilizing efforts to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage season. As the leading Hajj & Umrah carrier, Saudia aims to set a new benchmark in religious tourism, adding to its commitment of supporting the Kingdom's targets of six million Hajj pilgrims and 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. Essam Akhonbay, VP Marketing at Saudia, said: "At Saudia, we are committed to continuous innovation across all aspects of aviation. Our goal is to enhance the travel experience for every guest. 'The Coolest Ihram' exemplifies our dedication to pioneering advancements that ensure comfort and focus on what truly matters during their journey." Offering Landor's perspective, Luc Speisser, Global Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, said: 'We saw an opportunity not only to elevate Saudia's brand internationally, but to do it in a meaningful way, making a positive difference to passengers, during the journey of a lifetime. As a brand, Saudia promises innovation, and with the 'Coolest Ihram', they're putting that promise into practice.' Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of brrr®, said: 'We were incredibly excited to partner with Landor and Saudia on this project, because we knew the difference it would make to pilgrims, in one of the most important moments of their lives. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to build new relationships and break new ground, while demonstrating the performance power of our fabrics.' The 'Coolest Ihram' will be available to Saudia guests beginning of June 2025, with further details to be announced soon. 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 fleets. 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. For more information on Saudia, please visit
Leaders
20-04-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudia to Showcase Next‑Gen Innovations at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Saudia, Saudi Arabia's national airline, will participate in the 32nd Arabian Travel Market (ATM) from 28 April to 1 May, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Saudia aims to showcase its showcase cutting-edge aviation advancements and guest experience upgrades, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals by enhancing connectivity and delivering exceptional value. Pioneering Aviation Solutions At ATM 2025, Saudia will unveil initiatives boosting global connectivity and fostering strategic partnerships. The airline will announce collaborations to expand its international network and enhance value for travelers. Essam Akhonbay, Saudia's Vice President of Marketing & Product Management, stated, 'We aim to redefine travel by merging innovation with authentic Saudi hospitality, ensuring unmatched comfort for guests.' Building on past ATM successes, Saudia will debut a futuristic premium stand in Hall 3 (Stand ME1930) at Dubai World Trade Centre. However, The immersive setup will highlight Saudi culture while introducing new guest-centric features. Attendees can explore innovations reflecting the airline's commitment to seamless, hospitality-driven journeys. Award-Winning Performance and Recognition Founded in 1945, Saudia now operates across 100+ global destinations, including all 28 Saudi domestic airports. As a SkyTeam alliance member since 2012, it ranks among the Middle East's largest airlines. Saudia recently claimed Skytrax's 'World's Most Improved Airline 2024' for the third time and 'World Class Airline 2024' by APEX. Additionally, Cirium named it the global leader in on-time performance, cementing its reputation for reliability. Through ATM 2025, Saudia reinforces its role in advancing Saudi Arabia's tourism and economic diversification goals. By bridging cultures and prioritizing innovation, the airline continues to position the Kingdom as a global travel hub. Short link :
Zawya
20-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudia to unveil latest innovations at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Jeddah: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has announced its participation in the 32nd edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, 2025. At ATM 2025, Saudia is set to present its latest advancements in aviation and guest experience innovations. As part of its commitment to enhancing connectivity, bringing the world to the kingdom, and delivering exceptional value aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Saudia will highlight key initiatives that underscore its strategic focus on global expansion and partnership development. The airline is also expected to announce new partnerships and collaborations that further this vision. Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of Marketing & Product Management at Saudia, said: "We are thrilled to return to this esteemed global travel event where we can engage with industry leaders and showcase our pioneering achievements. As we continue expanding our global reach through strategic partnerships and innovative guest experiences, we remain committed to providing unparalleled comfort while integrating authentic Saudi hospitality throughout every aspect of travel." Building on past successes during previous editions of ATM—including winning multiple 'Best Stand Design' awards—Saudia aims high once again this year by unveiling a futuristic premium stand located at Hall 3 within the Saudi Village (Stand ME1930). Visitors can expect an immersive experience featuring new features alongside initiatives reflecting authentic Saudi hospitality intertwined seamlessly throughout every aspect of their journey. 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 fleets. 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. For more information on Saudia, please visit
