JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, Saudia, and Etihad Airways, the national is the flag carrier and the second-largest airline of the United Arab Emirates, have announced a new codeshare partnership, providing customers with access to more than 40 leisure and business destinations in home markets and across the world.
In addition to the codeshare agreement, the two carriers also announced plans for greater commercial cooperation in other fields, including frequent flyer program benefits, cargo, engineering and maintenance.
The codeshare agreement was signed at Saudia headquarters in Jeddah by Saleh Al-Jasser, Director General Saudi Arabian Airlines, and Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group.
It covers at least 41 destinations on both of the airlines’ networks and see Etihad place its “EY” code on a number of Saudia’s flights, including Abha, Al-Baha, Alula, Arar, Bisha, Dammam, Dawadmi, Gassim, Gizan, Gurayat, Hail, Hofuf, Jeddah, Jouf, Madinah, Qaisumah, Rafha, Riyadh, Sharurah, Tabuk, Taif, Turaif, Wadi-Ad-Dawasir, Wedjh, Yanbo, and Abu Dhabi. Port Sudan, Tunis, Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh, Multan and Peshawar, subject to government approval.
At the same time, Saudia will place its ‘SV’ code on Etihad flights to Baku, Chengdu, Ahmedabad, Nagoya, Tokyo-Narita, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Belgrade, Seychelles, Chicago-O›Hare, and Abu Dhabi.
Al Jasser said: “The new partnership broadens aviation and transport links with the United Arab Emirates, building on the extensive aviation investment and strong foundation in the sector.
“With the agreement, the added network coverage enables our guests to benefit from added flexibility and convenience, as well as increase the benefits for members of both airlines’ frequent flyer plans,” reported the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA)
Douglas said: “The ties shared between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the deepest that the two nations have, and therefore we are extremely proud to play our role and bring the two flag carriers together in this unique partnership.
“The partnership will allow for enhanced seamless travel across the Etihad Airways and Saudia networks which we anticipate will be highly popular with business and leisure travelers, especially those looking to fly to secondary city destinations.”
At the same time, Saudia will place its ‘SV’ code on Etihad flights to Baku, Chengdu, Ahmedabad, Nagoya, Tokyo-Narita, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Belgrade, Seychelles, Chicago-O›Hare, and Abu Dhabi.
In addition to the codeshare, the teams at the Etihad Guest and Alfursan frequent flyer programs are finalizing discussions which would see members of each program being offered reciprocal earn and burn opportunities, according to SPA.
In the cargo world, the teams in both airlines’ divisions are in talks over greater cooperation, recognizing the increased volumes of freight traffic flowing in and out of the UAE and the Saudi Arabia.
Etihad Airways Engineering will also provide provide select maintenance services for SAUDIA aircraft at its MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) facility in Abu Dhabi.
In 2017 Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) carried more than 32 million passengers, registered over 200,000 flights and traveled more than 320 million kilometers, while SAUDIA Cargo carried more than 637,000 tons of freight.
Carriers in the region continue to post positive growth, and in 2017 alone, they flew more than 216.1 million passengers, up by 4.6 percent over 2016 and representing 5.3 percent of the market share, according to the data provided by the International Air Transport Association.
Between November 2017 and March 2017, more than 400,000 passengers had been served by the shared flights, while 250,000 more had booked their trips in advance.
Saudi Airlines and Etihad sign codeshare agreement
Saudi Airlines and Etihad sign codeshare agreement
Saudi Coffee Co. and Bieder & Maier blend two coffee cultures
- Viennese coffee-maker collaborates with local brand to buy Arabica beans from Jazan
RIYADH: The Kingdom and Austria recently celebrated the world premiere of the “Premium Saudi Blend” by Viennese coffee manufacturer Bieder & Maier and the Saudi Coffee Company.
The launch of the product brings Saudi and Austrian coffee culture together. During the presentations in Vienna and Riyadh, guests tasted the new coffee roast, catering for espresso to filter and cold brewing.
“The coffee is an embodiment of our culture and identity,” CEO of Saudi Coffee Company Khalid AbuTheeb told Arab News. “With the objective of enhancing the local coffee industry and promoting our coffee tradition, we have collaborated with Bieder & Maier, a Vienna-based coffee powerhouse.”
AbuTheeb said that the collaboration was facilitated by the Saudi Ministry of Investment. “Through this collaboration ... the Saudi Coffee Company will bring forth unique coffee blends utilizing Saudi coffee beans in a mix with international beans to the Saudi and Austrian markets,” he said.
HIGHLIGHTS
• In 2011, Viennese coffee house culture was declared an intangible world heritage, followed by Arabic coffee in 2015 and Saudi Khawlani Arabica beans in 2022.
• They have all been declared intangible world heritage by UNESCO in recognition of their respective traditions and cultural significance.
• Starting during fall this year, a number of coffee houses will be opened in Saudi Arabia, with Cenomi Retail as franchise partner.
According to AbuTheeb, they will supply the finest Saudi coffee beans directly from the Jazan region.
“As we explore roasting capabilities here in the Kingdom, we are not just content with embracing tradition; we are striving to shape the future of coffee, where innovation intersects with heritage on a global scale,” he said.
Dr. Margarete Schramboeck, the former minister of economy and digital affairs of Austria, and current Aramco digital board member, expressed her growing interest in Saudi coffee culture since she moved to the Kingdom.
“It was the year 2022 when I first came to the Kingdom and learned about the Year of Saudi coffee and the amazing culture of growing coffee in Jazan,” Schramboeck told Arab News. “Therefore, I was passionate about bringing this idea of a special Saudi blend to life. An exceptional partnership with the support of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia has been initiated. I want to thank Minister Khalid Al-Falih and team for the support.”
Recalling her visit to Jazan and its coffee-growing families, Schramboeck said: “The quality and tradition of coffee has deeply impressed me.”
Rudi Kobza, founder and CEO of Bieder & Maier Vienna, stressed the importance of the collaboration. “The Saudi heritage is unique and the ambition of the Saudi Coffee Company is impressive. The Premium Saudi Blend brings this philosophy in an authentical way alive. This can be experienced soon in our first Bieder & Maier cafe in Saudi Arabia, which we will operate with our partner Cenomi, as well as in Vienna.”
“Austrians share a common passion for coffee. Therefore, I was passionate about developing this project. When Saudi Arabia meets Vienna, the home of the Arabica coffee bean combines with the home of traditional coffee house culture to create a particularly enjoyable coffee project.”
In 2011, Viennese coffee house culture was declared an intangible world heritage, followed by Arabic coffee in 2015 and Saudi Khawlani Arabica beans in 2022. They have all been declared intangible world heritage by UNESCO in recognition of their respective traditions and cultural significance.
Starting during fall this year, a number of coffee houses will be opened in Saudi Arabia, with Cenomi Retail as franchise partner.
Excavators held for violating water system
- The discovery was made during field tours carried out by the water department
TUBARJAL: The Al-Jouf branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has apprehended three excavators who were found to be violating the water system in Tubarjal.
The discovery was made during field tours carried out by the water department, in cooperation with the competent authorities in the governorate.
Separately, authorities in Addayer in the Jazan region have arrested seven Ethiopians for smuggling 105 kg of hashish. Legal procedures have been completed against the offenders who were handed over, along with the seized items, to the competent authority.
Border guard patrols in the Al-Harth area of Jazan have also foiled an attempt to smuggle 71 kg of hashish, with initial legal procedures completed and the find handed over to the competent authority.
Security authorities have reiterated their appeal for citizens and residents to report any information regarding drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.
Those with information may also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or at [email protected].
48th Saudi relief plane for Palestinians
- The plane carried shelter materials to be transported to the conflict-affected Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
AL-ARISH: The 48th Saudi relief plane for Palestinians in Gaza arrived on Friday at Al-Arish International Airport, Egypt.
It was operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
The plane carried shelter materials to be transported to the conflict-affected Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The provision of aid is ongoing from the Kingdom, which has stood firm with the Palestinians amid crises and tribulations.
Direct KSA to Iraq flight routes announced
- These flights, along with flights to Baghdad and Irbil, will commence from June 1.
RIYADH: The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the launch of direct flights from Dammam to Najaf, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The decision is in line with the Kingdom’s national aviation sector strategy, aimed at doubling capacity to accommodate over 330 million passengers annually, and extending services to more than 250 global destinations.
These flights, along with flights to Baghdad and Irbil, will commence from June 1.
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah praises Iraqi authorities for arresting fraudsters touting fake Hajj trips
- A ministry source in the statement also warned prospective pilgrims to beware of unauthorized Hajj offers being promoted this year
- The ministry made it clear that visas for Umrah, tourism, work, family visits, transit, and other categories do not grant eligibility to perform Hajj
RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah expressed its gratitude for actions taken by the Supreme Commission for Hajj and Umrah in the Republic of Iraq that resulted in the prosecution of more than 25 companies fraudulently engaged in commercial Hajj operations.
A ministry source in the statement also warned prospective pilgrims to beware of unauthorized Hajj offers being promoted this year, primarily through social media.
Participation in Hajj requires pilgrims to obtain a legitimate Hajj visa issued by the authorities in the Kingdom in coordination with Hajj affairs offices in their respective countries, or via the Nusuk Hajj platform for those countries that do not have an official Hajj office.
The source said that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is monitoring advertisements from companies and campaigns, as well as identifying fake accounts on social networks allegedly offering Hajj packages at enticing prices.
The ministry made it clear that visas for Umrah, tourism, work, family visits, transit, and other categories do not grant eligibility to perform Hajj. It urged pilgrims to be careful not to fall victim to companies and others claiming to offer commercial Hajj campaigns or other misleading initiatives.
“Regulations must be followed and legally documented permits, as represented by the official Hajj visa, must be issued, so a safe, secure, well-managed Hajj program and fair representation to all nationalities is provided,” Mohsen Tutla, head of the World Hajj and Umrah Convention, told Arab News.
“Hajj is a mega event with more than 2 million worshippers. Can one imagine, if order was not imposed and (the event) not regulated, chaos would ensue,” he added.
In the statement, the ministry calls for everyone’s cooperation to help combat and report fraudulent companies and campaigns, and to seek information only by visiting its official website and engaging with its channels on social networks.
