The Emirates Group, comprising Emirates airline and dnata, has published its seventh annual environmental report. The report outlines the group’s environmental performance for the financial year 2016-2017.
Audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the report presents environmental sustainability initiatives and performance data from a range of group activities covering airline operations, dnata’s cargo and ground handling businesses, and other commercial activities such as engineering and catering.
With 2017 being the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the group has linked its environmental priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help it focus better on where it can have the greatest impact.
“2016-17 was a particularly testing year, as we faced a series of social, economic and political events that erupted across our markets around the world. Consumer confidence and travel demand were hit by a series of shocks. Yet our strong track record, business foundation, and brand reputation have stood us in good stead, enabling us to weather these turbulent times,” said Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates airline and group.
“We are investing in our people, new systems, technologies, and infrastructure that will enable us to continue developing our business profitably and sustainably. Our journey to transform our business will open new opportunities to improve levels of resource efficiency, building up our business resilience to chart a path not just through the year ahead, but for the long-haul,” he added.
A key part of the group’s environmental strategy is operating an eco-efficient fleet, and during the year Emirates airline retired the last remaining Airbus A340s and A330s. It now only operates a passenger fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, and together with its Boeing 777 freighters, the average fleet age stands at 5.3 years, well below the industry average. A modern wide body fleet delivers lower engine and noise emissions, and offers customers a higher level of comfort.
“The group’s efforts during the year to enhance operational efficiency across the business also helped to reduce costs and its environmental impact. For example, a water-saving aircraft washing procedure introduced by Emirates Engineering will help save 11 million liters of water a year, while their energy efficiency projects, such as installing light emitting diode lighting in the hangars, are saving a substantial 237 megawatt-hours of electricity a month,” Emirates said in a press release.
Emirates Group releases 2016/17 annual environmental report
Emirates Group releases 2016/17 annual environmental report
Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Endowment projects worth SR8bn launched in Makkah
Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Real Estate Company has announced the launch of several real estate projects belonging to the Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Endowment system in Makkah, with a total investment exceeding SR8 billion ($2.1 billion). These projects include commercial, residential, and hospitality developments, as well as strategic land plots, as part of the company’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s real estate sector and enhancing the quality of life in the holy city.
The announcement was made during a field tour by a delegation of high-level officials including Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites; Ihsan Bafakih, chairman of the board of directors of Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi Holding Company; Haitham Al-Fayez, chairman of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Real Estate Company and CEO of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Holding Company; Moath Al-Mukhudub, managing director and CEO of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Real Estate Company; and Anas Mansour Abadi, CEO of real estate at Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Holding Company and representative of the Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Endowment, alongside members of the board of directors of both the holding and real estate companies and the executive team.
The tour included the launch of the Tilal Towers project, with an investment value of SR2 billion, featuring more than 2,500 hotel rooms, strengthening the hospitality sector in Makkah.
The delegation also visited the Tilal Village project, valued at SR2.8 billion. It is one of the prominent qualitative projects within the hospitality ecosystem in Makkah.
Furthermore, the visit covered the residential buildings within Tilal Village, comprising 828 units, with an investment of SR800 million. The delegation inspected the specialized hospital, medical complex housing, and the office and commercial plazas.
During the tour, a contract was signed for the Al-Rajhi Center project, valued at SR250 million, as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
The inspection also included the Al-Ukayshiyyah land, spanning 4 million square meters, and the Al-Ghazzawi project land, valued at SR250 million.
The tour concluded with prayers at the Aisha Al-Rajhi Mosque, the second-largest mosque in Makkah after the Grand Mosque, with a capacity for 50,000 worshippers.
This visit underscores the importance of these investments, which represent a clear direction toward enhancing the management of the endowment’s assets through diversification, redevelopment, and strategic expansion, in line with the development goals of the Makkah city and Saudi Vision 2030.
Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Real Estate, a subsidiary of Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi Holding Company, continues to provide innovative solutions to elevate the real estate sector to international standards.
