Latest news with #Landor
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Saudia launches transformative expansion of Hajj operations
KARACHI: Saudia Airlines has announced a transformative expansion of its Hajj operations, marking what the company calls a 'new era' in pilgrimage travel that extends far beyond traditional air transportation services. For the Hajj 2025 season, scheduled for June 4-9 pending lunar observations, the Saudi national flag carrier is positioning itself as a comprehensive service partner rather than merely an airline, introducing revolutionary products and services designed to enhance the spiritual journey for millions of pilgrims worldwide. The airline has allocated over one million seats across its modern fleet of 158 aircraft, targeting a market share of up to 35% while serving pilgrims from more than 100 global destinations. The operation will mobilize over 11,000 frontline staff and aircraft maintenance technicians across a 74-day operational window. 'Hajj remains one of our top national priorities,' said H.E. Engr Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia. 'This year, we are proud to not only manage air operations at full capacity but to also extend our role to become a direct service provider to pilgrims.' The airline is investing over SAR 100 million (approximately USD 26.7 million) in infrastructure and services across Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, creating what Al-Omar describes as 'thoughtfully curated service packages' that will redefine the concept of Hajj service delivery. Perhaps the most striking innovation is Saudia's introduction of 'The Coolest Ihram' — the world's first high-tech Ihram garment, unveiled on World Creativity and Innovation Day. Developed in collaboration with design firm Landor and textile technology company brrr, the garment represents a significant advancement in pilgrim comfort and safety. The revolutionary Ihram incorporates patented cooling minerals, active wicking technology, and rapid-drying capabilities that can reduce skin temperature by up to 2°C (3.6°F). The garment also provides UPF 50+ sun protection while maintaining full compliance with Islamic requirements for both men and women. The product will be available to Saudia passengers beginning in June 2025. This innovation addresses a critical need, as pilgrims often face extreme heat conditions during the Hajj, with temperatures in Saudi Arabia frequently exceeding 40°C (104°F) during the pilgrimage season. Saudia's transformation extends well beyond transportation. The airline is establishing dedicated rest areas, restaurants, and coffee lounges inspired by its premium AlFursan airport lounges at the holy sites. These facilities will be staffed by multilingual personnel to ensure seamless communication with the diverse international pilgrim population. The enhanced service portfolio includes specialized accommodation arrangements, diverse halal meal options, timely prayer and Miqat announcements, and educational programs developed in collaboration with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Saudia Unveils New Plans to Support Hajj Spiritual Journey
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the 2025 Hajj season approaches, Saudi Arabia stands ready to welcome pilgrims from around the world to partake in this spiritual journey. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, known as a sacred and obligatory once-in-a-lifetime worship experience for those who are capable, representing a profound act of spiritual submission, unity, and humility before God. In 2025, Hajj season is expected to take place from June 4-9, depending on lunar observations. This year, the minimum age for participation is 12 years old, and all pilgrims must obtain a Hajj visa to attend. For those considering participating in Hajj or visiting Saudi Arabia, Saudia Airlines (Saudia) provides a world-class travel experience to support your spiritual journey. As the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudia's non-stop service from New York, Washington, Toronto, and Los Angeles offers an easy entry point from the United States and Canada to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina. Saudia Group has announced its ambitious plans for the 2025 Hajj season, marking its official entry into the Hajj services sector with the aim of transforming the pilgrimage experience. For the first time, Saudia will act as a comprehensive Hajj service provider, expanding its offerings beyond air travel to encompass a wide array of innovative services that address every aspect of the pilgrim journey. On World Creativity and Innovation Day, Saudia unveiled 'The Coolest Ihram,' a revolutionary, high-tech garment developed with Landor and brrr® to cool the body during Hajj and Umrah rituals. The Coolest Ihram uses advanced cooling technology to lower skin temperature by 1 – 2 degrees Celsius and offers UPF 50+ sun protection, creating a comfortable microclimate for pilgrims. This innovation reinforces Saudia's leadership in enhancing the religious tourism experience. Saudia is allocating over one million seats utilizing a modern fleet of 158 aircraft. With a projected market share of up to 35%, the airline will serve pilgrims from over 100 global destinations. The end-to-end travel experience is designed to maximize comfort and efficiency, from ticket issuance to streamlined arrival and departure processes. Saudia is coordinating extensively with public and private sector partners to ensure smooth operations across all airport touchpoints, with more than 11,000 frontline staff and aircraft maintenance technicians mobilized to serve pilgrims across a 74-day operational window. Further enhancing the luxury experience, Saudia Group will introduce Business Class-style beds and dedicated rest areas inspired by Alfursan lounges at the holy sites. To improve the overall pilgrimage experience, Saudia provides a range of services, including easy boarding pass issuance for both outbound and return flights, supported by multilingual staff for seamless communication. Onboard, pilgrims can enjoy diverse meal options, timely prayer and Miqat announcements, and specially curated educational programs developed with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Additional services for individuals with special needs, such as transportation for people with disabilities, onboard oxygen, and medical stretcher services, will also be available, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive journey for all. 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 been honored as the World Class Airline for 2024 at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ awards, marking the third consecutive year the airline has received this prestigious recognition. Additionally, 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 Center Saudi Arabian Airlines Headquarters Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Email: mediacenter@
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Saudia Unveils New Plans to Support Hajj Spiritual Journey
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the 2025 Hajj season approaches, Saudi Arabia stands ready to welcome pilgrims from around the world to partake in this spiritual journey. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, known as a sacred and obligatory once-in-a-lifetime worship experience for those who are capable, representing a profound act of spiritual submission, unity, and humility before God. In 2025, Hajj season is expected to take place from June 4-9, depending on lunar observations. This year, the minimum age for participation is 12 years old, and all pilgrims must obtain a Hajj visa to attend. For those considering participating in Hajj or visiting Saudi Arabia, Saudia Airlines (Saudia) provides a world-class travel experience to support your spiritual journey. As the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudia's non-stop service from New York, Washington, Toronto, and Los Angeles offers an easy entry point from the United States and Canada to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina. Saudia Group has announced its ambitious plans for the 2025 Hajj season, marking its official entry into the Hajj services sector with the aim of transforming the pilgrimage experience. For the first time, Saudia will act as a comprehensive Hajj service provider, expanding its offerings beyond air travel to encompass a wide array of innovative services that address every aspect of the pilgrim journey. On World Creativity and Innovation Day, Saudia unveiled "The Coolest Ihram," a revolutionary, high-tech garment developed with Landor and brrr® to cool the body during Hajj and Umrah rituals. The Coolest Ihram uses advanced cooling technology to lower skin temperature by 1 – 2 degrees Celsius and offers UPF 50+ sun protection, creating a comfortable microclimate for pilgrims. This innovation reinforces Saudia's leadership in enhancing the religious tourism experience. Saudia is allocating over one million seats utilizing a modern fleet of 158 aircraft. With a projected market share of up to 35%, the airline will serve pilgrims from over 100 global destinations. The end-to-end travel experience is designed to maximize comfort and efficiency, from ticket issuance to streamlined arrival and departure processes. Saudia is coordinating extensively with public and private sector partners to ensure smooth operations across all airport touchpoints, with more than 11,000 frontline staff and aircraft maintenance technicians mobilized to serve pilgrims across a 74-day operational window. Further enhancing the luxury experience, Saudia Group will introduce Business Class-style beds and dedicated rest areas inspired by Alfursan lounges at the holy sites. To improve the overall pilgrimage experience, Saudia provides a range of services, including easy boarding pass issuance for both outbound and return flights, supported by multilingual staff for seamless communication. Onboard, pilgrims can enjoy diverse meal options, timely prayer and Miqat announcements, and specially curated educational programs developed with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Additional services for individuals with special needs, such as transportation for people with disabilities, onboard oxygen, and medical stretcher services, will also be available, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive journey for all. 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 been honored as the World Class Airline for 2024 at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ awards, marking the third consecutive year the airline has received this prestigious recognition. Additionally, 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 Center Saudi Arabian Airlines Headquarters Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Email: mediacenter@ in to access your portfolio
Campaign ME
13-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Industry Snapshot: The future of marketing in Saudi Arabia
From talent development to Vision 2030, in this industry snapshot, Landor's Mariagrazia De Angelis explores how Saudi Arabia's national priorities are setting the tone for the future of marketing in the country. It is important not to group Saudi Arabia within 'Middle East marketing strategies', but instead to focus on marketing specifically for Saudi Arabia because … Saudi Arabia's geographic, demographic, and strategic makeup is distinct from the rest of the region. The country has preserved cultural values that differentiate it even within the GCC. Unlike neighbouring countries relying on global expertise for transformation, Saudi Arabia focuses on empowering its own people, emphasising the importance of understanding local culture. Regional differences within Saudi Arabia require tailored approaches, as a one-size-fits-all strategy doesn't work here. Vision 2030 plays a key role, aiming to empower local talent and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in economy, technology, and investment. Global companies entering the market prioritise adapting their operations specifically for Saudi Arabia, while serving other markets from within the country. Above all, brand marketers and agency leaders in Saudi Arabia must prioritise … talent development, knowledge transfer, and building infrastructure for data management. Data will be the key driver shaping businesses, brands, and experiences in Saudi Arabia. Branding and marketing competencies need significant focus to advance the sector. Investing in local talent ensures the market has the skills required to thrive, while knowledge transfer helps localise expertise. Establishing robust data infrastructure will further support growth and innovation. These three pillars-talent, knowledge, and data-are essential for the future of marketing in Saudi Arabia. The biggest marketing disruption in Saudi Arabia in the next two years will be … the transformation happening in the government sector. Government entities are becoming more communication-active, branding-focused, and people-centric across industries like industrial partnerships, healthcare, sports, culture, and tourism. Tourism, both international and domestic, is emerging as a key pillar, with projects coming to fruition and millions travelling between cities annually-a scale never seen before. Sports marketing and esports are gaining momentum, with Saudi Arabia hosting major events like the Esports World Cup and investing billions into gaming. Cultural initiatives led by the Ministry of Culture aim to highlight Saudi heritage and challenge misconceptions globally. We're excited about Saudi Arabia's Olympic Esports Games 2027, Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2035 because … these events mark a new era for Saudi Arabia, showcasing its transformation and ambitions on the global stage. Football, deeply rooted in Saudi culture, will expand perceptions and open Saudi Arabia's culture to the world. These events align with destination marketing efforts and rebranding Saudi Arabia globally, providing platforms to share progress, culture, and leadership with the world. By Mariagrazia De Angelis, General Manager MEA, Landor
Campaign ME
22-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Landor appoints Basim Asaad as Managing Partner, KSA
Landor, has announced the appointment of Basim Asaad as Managing Partner, KSA. Based in Riyadh, Asaad will focus on strengthening and expanding Landor's relationships with clients across the Kingdom. Working closely with teams in Dubai and London, Basim will play a pivotal role in establishing optimal structures and processes to effectively serve key clients. Mariagrazia De Angelis, Landor's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa said, 'Basim is a smart, results-oriented leader who embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation. As a proud Saudi national from Madinah, Basim's insights into the local landscape and creative industry will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our presence in the Kingdom. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.' Commenting on his appointment, Asaad said: 'I am honored to join Landor, a global leader in branding, at such an exciting time for Saudi Arabia's transformation. I look forward to working alongside the talented teams in Riyadh, Dubai, and London to deliver impactful solutions for PIF, Vision 2030 programs, and other key clients across all sectors in the Kingdom. Christian Schroeder, Landor's Global President, said, 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing an extraordinary transformation, driven by Vision 2030 and its ambition to become a global leader in economy, technology, and culture. This market presents unique opportunities for brands to create meaningful impact by understanding local nuances and delivering tailored solutions. Landor's commitment to the Kingdom reflects our focus on empowering clients to navigate this dynamic landscape with clarity and purpose. By appointing Basim Asaad as a Managing Partner in Saudi Arabia reinforces investment in the region and ensures we are well-positioned to support our clients' growth and success in this pivotal market.' Asaad continues, 'Beyond brand-building, we are committed to empowering and nurturing Saudi talent, sharing our expertise to develop the next generation of branding leaders who will drive the Kingdom's creative and economic evolution. Together, we will create brands that inspire, innovate, and resonate deeply with audiences across the region.' With over 15 years of experience spanning both agency and client-side roles, Basim brings expertise in project management, marketing, communications, and branding. His career highlights include his involvement in the launch of NEOM during his tenure at VML (formerly known as VMLY&R at the time). Basim has held leadership positions at global and regional agencies such as Havas, Extend the Ad Network, and Ways Marketing Solutions, where he served as Chief Operating Officer.
