Etihad Airways welcomed Noora Al-Marri, its 1,000th Emirati member of staff, to the airline. The 23-year old Noora from Abu Dhabi was encouraged to join the UAE's national flagship by her husband Faisal Al-Naqbi, an officer cadet from batch 19 of the cadet pilot program, who joined in the beginning of 2011. She has recently joined the airline's graduate manager development program (GMDP).
Etihad Airways Chief People and Performance Officer Ray Gammell said, "We are delighted to welcome Noora, the airline's 1000th Emirati employee, to the Etihad Airways family. "Etihad Airways recognizes the vital role of UAE nationals in the ongoing development and running of our business and we look forward to supporting Noora as she embarks on her career with the UAE's national airline."
Etihad Airways now employs more than 1,000 UAE nationals across its seven divisions, with Emiratis comprising 21 per cent of the airline's core employee workforce.
Noora Al Marri said: "I am thrilled to be the 1,000th Emirati employee to join the company, and that accolade is sure to give me extra motivation over the coming weeks of the graduate management development program's induction phase."
Etihad Airways has received widespread praise for its Emiratization recruitment strategy, which includes programs for graduate managers, cadet pilots, technical engineers, sales managers, guest service agents, contact center agents, and airport operations managers.
Ray Gammell said, "Etihad Airways is immensely proud of its Emiratization recruitment strategy and programs which have achieved great success since being launched in 2007, with 21 percent of our core work force being Emirati."
Etihad Airways passes emiratization milestone
Etihad Airways passes emiratization milestone
Alfanar Projects wins MEED Award for ‘Industrial Project of the Year’
Alfanar Projects has been recognized as a “national winner” at the MEED Projects Awards 2025, for its role as the main contractor in the landmark Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant, which was awarded “Industrial Project of the Year.”
Developed through a strategic partnership between the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company, or Dussur, Saudi Aramco, and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, the Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant represents a cornerstone in the Kingdom’s drive to establish a world-class industrial base, localize advanced manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen national supply chains.
Situated in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City, the plant spans over 400,000 square meters, encompassing 39 major buildings and an extensive network of infrastructure and external works. Alfanar Projects delivered the project on a lump-sum turnkey basis, executing more than 122,000 cubic meters of concrete, erecting 25,000 tons of structural steel, installing hundreds of kilometers of underground piping and cabling, and implementing advanced electrical and mechanical systems to global engineering standards.
With a production capacity of 60,000 tons per year, utilizing state-of-the-art sand casting and open-die forging technologies, the plant will play a pivotal role in serving critical sectors such as the oil and gas industry, maritime industries, and heavy equipment manufacturing, while advancing Saudi Arabia’s goals of industrial localization and self-sufficiency.
Jamal Wadi, president of Alfanar Projects, said: “The Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant embodies the pinnacle of what engineering can achieve when coupled with determination. The project brought together complex architectural and structural challenges with advanced engineering solutions, which we executed with precision and efficiency. This landmark facility stands as a testament to our deep expertise as an industrial contractor and to our ability to harness engineering excellence in building strategic projects that underpin the Kingdom’s economic future.”
The MEED Projects Awards, organized in partnership with Mashreq Bank, are among the most prestigious accolades in the region, celebrating excellence in project delivery across sectors. Alfanar Projects’ recognition underscores its role as a leading national contractor, committed to delivering world-class industrial infrastructure projects that support the Kingdom’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and industrial leadership.
The leading engineering and construction company is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s infrastructure and industrial landscape in alignment with Vision 2030. Through its commitment to sustainable development, Alfanar Projects supports the growth of key sectors, including building construction, urban infrastructure, renewable energy, and grid modernization across Saudi Arabia and internationally. With an emphasis on localization, innovation, and sustainability, Alfanar Projects continues to deliver world-class solutions that contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious economic and social transformation.
