During the holy month of Ramadan and with the 2012 Haj season approaching, nasair, the Saudi national carrier, has signed an agreement with Mobily, a major mobile and data service provider in the Kingdom, to offer a co-branded SIM card to pilgrims on flights to Madinah and Jeddah. Nasair flight attendants will issue the SIM cards following an in-flight announcement.
With expected over 3 million pilgrims to visit the holy sites from outside the Kingdom during Ramadan and Haj, nasair and Mobily, two significant Saudi operators, show their support to pilgrims by offering these SIM cards on thousands of flights. The SIM cards offered will be equipped with pre-paid credit for travelers to call their families and inform them of their safe arrival into the Kingdom.
Turki Al-Jawini, deputy COO, nasair, said: “As Saudi Arabia's national carrier, we are honored to play our part in the pilgrimage to the holiest of cities in the Kingdom. We are committed not only to supporting pilgrims using our comfortable aircraft, safe flights and smart services, but also to investing in the time they will spend in the Kingdom by partnering with Mobily to take care of their communication needs.”
Nasser K. Al-Kharouf, VP-channel sales, Mobily, said: “Our agreement with nasair carries a main objective making the journey of the pilgrims an unmatchable experience, assisting them to focus on their religious duties. We are committed not only to extend the best technologies, Internet services and telecommunication network, but also to secure the widest spread throughout all land, sea and airports in addition to mosques, Mina, Arafat and other religious sites in the holy cities across the Kingdom in order to service pilgrims during their Unique Spiritual Experience.”
Nasair, Mobily offer SIM cards to inbound Haj & Umrah pilgrims
Nasair, Mobily offer SIM cards to inbound Haj & Umrah pilgrims
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.
