With the month of Ramadan setting in, Jazeera Airways says it will increase frequency on the Kuwait-Jeddah route from six to ten flights a week from July 22 to Aug. 9, to serve the increasing flow of Umrah pilgrims from Kuwait visiting the holy city of Makkah.
Jazeera Airways operates a two-class cabin comprising of a Business Class and an Economy Class. Jazeera Airways' Business Class offering includes a separate cabin for passengers, exclusive check-in counters, Business Lounge access at airports, in-flight a la carte menu, and a free baggage allowance of 60 kg. The airline's Economy Class offers travelers free baggage allowance of 40 kg, free on-board meals with a changing menu every month, and year-round value fares.
With Jazeera Airways' great on-time performance ranking it the highest in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 and to date as per the global flight and trip tracker FlightStats, year-round competitive fares, easy and fast online and self-check-in alternatives, mobile booking apps, and on-board duty free shopping service, the airline continues to offer more value to customers than any other offering by any airline in the Middle East.
Jazeera Airways' network originating from Kuwait includes high-demand business, leisure, family, and weekend destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Damascus, Istanbul, Sharm El Sheikh, Assuit, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Luxor, Mashhad, Sohag, Jeddah, Riyadh, Cairo and Najaf.
Jazeera Airways is an IATA-member airline and operates one of the youngest Airbus A320 fleets across the Middle East and North Africa.
To date, the airline has flown over 8.8 million passengers since commencing operations in October 2005. In 2011, the airline carried 1.2 million passengers across its network that today includes high-demand business, leisure, family, and weekend destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Damascus, Istanbul, Sharm El Sheikh, Assuit, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Luxor, Mashhad, Sohag, Jeddah, Riyadh, Cairo and Najaf.
Jazeera Airways increases Jeddah flights in Ramadan
Jazeera Airways increases Jeddah flights in Ramadan
Alwaleed Philanthropies partners with Jahjaga Foundation to bring cutting-edge medical equipment to Kosovo
Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al-Saud, has collaborated with the Jahjaga Foundation to equip Kosovo’s Nuclear Medicine Clinic with a cutting-edge SPECT/CT/PET medical device. Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud, secretary-general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, met with President of Kosovo Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, in Pristina, Kosovo to support healthcare advancements in the region.
The combined efforts of Alwaleed Philanthropies, Jahjaga Foundation, as well as the Kosovo President, and Kosovo Minister of Health Arben Vitia have brought this state-of-the-art technology to the clinic, significantly improving patient care and reinforcing Kosovo’s commitment to enhancing its healthcare infrastructure.
Princess Lamia also participated in the official handover ceremony for the SPECT/CT/PET medical device, held under the patronage of President Sadriu. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, reflecting the importance of the partnership between Alwaleed Philanthropies and Kosovo in promoting improved healthcare services for the local community.
The government of Kosovo honored Prince Alwaleed with a prestigious acknowledgment in appreciation of his invaluable support to the Nuclear Medicine Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Prince Alwaleed, chairman and head of the board of trustees of Alwaleed Philanthropies, was presented with the esteemed “Presidential Medal of Merit” by President Sadriu on Feb. 20. This medal was given during a personal visit to the Kingdom Tower by Lulzim Mjeku, ambassador of Kosovo to Saudi Arabia, alongside Rejhan Vuniqi, political adviser to the president, representing the office of the President of Kosovo.
The agreement between Alwaleed Philanthropies and Jahjaga Foundation supports the well-being of cancer patients in Kosovo, increasing their life expectancy and quality of life by providing a SPECT/ PET/ CT to the Nuclear Medicine Clinic at the UCCK. This equipment spares patients from the risks, expenses, and challenges of traveling abroad for such examinations.
The SPECT/ PET/ CT equipment will fulfill Kosovo’s healthcare needs, provided at no cost to patients within the public sector, ensuring access to life-saving treatment. Moreover, UCCK’s proficiency in utilizing the equipment will be strengthened through tailored training programs aimed at optimizing its operation. This training initiative ensures that staff members are fully equipped to efficiently operate and maintain the equipment, thus enhancing the quality of patient care. This project aligns with Alwaleed Philanthropies’ commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives and improving the lives of individuals in need around the world.
SAB first bank in Kingdom to win Global Innovation Institute honor
Saudi Awwal Bank has won the innovation accreditation from the US-based Global Innovation Institute. This achievement makes it the first bank in the Kingdom to receive this certification, affirming its leading position in innovation in the region.
The certification is a culmination of SAB’s efforts in adopting innovation and integrating it across all sectors, including various initiatives such as workshops, training camps, and hackathons. These efforts have resulted in raising the innovation culture among its employees to 90 percent.
Saeed Assiri, chief innovation officer at SAB, said: “This achievement reflects our steadfast commitment to innovation as an integral part of our strategy and is a recognition of the quality and effectiveness of the practices we follow in promoting the culture of innovation within the bank.”
He added: “We reaffirm our commitment to continuing our path toward innovation and excellence as we recognize its importance in achieving growth and development. We work to embed it in all aspects of our business and look forward to providing financial solutions that meet our customers’ needs in new and innovative ways.”
This recognition comes at a time when the Kingdom is focusing on innovation as a fundamental element in its Saudi Vision 2030, making SAB a role model in enabling and empowering innovation in line with the best global practices. This in turn contributes to accelerating the Kingdom’s position as a center for innovation and creativity in the region.
The bank’s progress in driving innovation is a starting point to stimulate the financial sector in the Kingdom to adopt similar strategies. Innovation efforts at the bank go beyond developing products and services and include improving internal processes and building a work environment that is conducive to creativity. The approach is a step toward achieving higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness and represents a model to be emulated in the Saudi business sector.
The Global Innovation Institute is a world leader in providing certifications and accreditations in the field of innovation. The institute relies on precise methodologies in assessment and well-thought-out criteria to measure the maturity of innovation in organizations.
This certification is a significant milestone for SAB, as it represents a pivotal step toward the bank’s vision of pioneering innovation and shaping the future of finance in the Kingdom — solidifying its position as a forward-thinking institution.
MBSC hosts talks on family business in Saudi Arabia
Industry leaders, academic researchers, educators, innovators, business pioneers, and more than 100 family business representatives from Saudi Arabia discussed the evolving landscape of family businesses and the modern business practices in Saudi Arabia.
The event, “Unlock Legacy, Foster Innovation: Navigating the Future of Family Business,” was organized by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the Kingdom’s world-class business school and its MBSC Observatory for Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Innovation and Family Business, in collaboration with the National Center for Family Business and the STEP Project Global Consortium.
Discussions focused on key themes such as Legacy Preservation in a Modern Era, Intergenerational Leadership, Sustaining Family Values in Business Growth, Balancing Heritage and Disruption, Legacy as a Lever for Competitive Advantage, and The Role of Next-Generation Leaders in Legacy Businesses.
Participants gained insights from real-world case studies, enabling them to address challenges specific to family businesses. The event also fostered networking within the family business community and equipped attendees with essential tools for future leadership.
Dr. Zeger Degraeve, dean of Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said: “We are delighted to highlight the significance of the event held. Participants gained valuable strategic insights, built connections within the community, and acquired essential tools for future leadership. This aligns with MBSC’s mission to empower organizations, fostering critical thinking and confidence in navigating the complexities of the real world. Ultimately, this contributes to the sustainable development and economic growth of Saudi Arabia.”
The MBSC Observatory for Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Innovation and Family Business convenes business and education leaders to address current economic, social, and environmental issues. Drawing on collective expertise, it supports effective decision-making and problem-solving, aiming for a lasting impact. Through shared knowledge and innovative solutions, the observatory creates value for startups, established companies, and family businesses.
Dr. Tarek El-Masri, assistant professor at MBSC and director of MBSC Family Business Institute, said: “Our newly inaugurated institute aims to be present at every intersection where family business researchers, owners, regulators, and experts meet to propagate family business continuity and sustainable growth.”
Situated in King Abdullah Economic City, a contemporary urban center that provides an unparalleled modern environment for both students and faculty, MBSC offers world-class education from Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia in both King Abdullah Economic City and Riyadh, delivering practical, pragmatic, hands-on experiential learning to develop a new generation of transformative leaders.
Budget Saudi inks 10-year deal with Avis Budget Group
Budget Saudi, a car rental company in the Kingdom, has renewed its Budget and Payless franchise agreement with Avis Budget Group. The agreement will extend the two entities’ partnership for another 10 years, until 2033.
Unitrans Group, through its flagship brand Budget Saudi, holds the title of being the world’s single largest franchise owner of ABG in that category. This global recognition, coupled with a legacy of 45 years in Saudi Arabia, underscores Budget Saudi’s commitment to delivering world-class services and creating memorable journeys and experiences.
The agreement was confirmed and announced at a recent signing ceremony held during ABG’s Middle East Conference in Jeddah. The Budget and Payless franchise agreement was signed by Hans Mueller, VP global licensees, ABG, and Fawaz Abdullah Danish, president and group CEO, Budget Saudi.
They were joined at the Middle East Conference — the largest regional get-together of its kind organized by ABG — by a selection of leading ABG executives and senior management from the UK, US and Singapore, as well as delegates from the GCC, Jordan, Lebanon and Kazakhstan.
The renewal of the agreement was followed by the announcement of Budget Saudi’s robust financial performance for the year 2023. The company recently reported profitability exceeding SR277.3 million ($73.9 million), a 10 percent increase from the previous year. Furthermore, revenue growth for the year 2023 was an impressive 34.4 percent higher than the previous year, underlining Budget Saudi’s strong financial health and promising future.
Danish said: “The franchise agreement signed for 10 years augurs well for the company and its growth strategy. It demonstrates the trust of Avis Budget Group in our company and our ability to deliver consistently and grow exponentially in the coming years. The brand Budget and Payless is secure in our portfolio in Saudi Arabia and is well positioned to achieve our vision of being the most comprehensive transportation solutions provider in the Kingdom: a one-stop-shop for wide-ranging vehicle renting and leasing services, as well as premier limousine operations. We are fully focused on achieving our accelerated growth plans for the next five years.”
Budget Saudi has seen substantial growth in its revenues and fleet. As part of its growth strategy — and in accordance with Vision 2030 — the company has launched a range of sustainable green initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet. The company has also inducted EV vehicles to its fleet for rental and leasing services and is taking proactive steps to advance the Kingdom’s burgeoning EV infrastructure, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative.
New Canon CX center boosts Saudi printing industry
Canon Middle East, a leader in printing and imaging solutions, recently announced the establishment of a new customer experience center in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step toward fulfilling the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The initiative highlights Canon’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction and strategic partnerships within the region.
Since establishing a direct presence in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2018, Canon has rapidly expanded its operations in response to the country’s status as the largest GDP contributor in the Middle East. With more than 70 years of experience in the region, Canon’s expansion into the Saudi market includes the strategic opening of offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. This expansion not only solidifies Canon’s commitment to the Saudi market but also highlights the brand’s dedication to meeting the evolving demands of its customers with updated technology and state-of-the-art solutions.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain disruptions, Canon Middle East has maintained a significant market share of 70 percent within just two years of operation. This achievement reflects the strategic importance of Canon’s direct presence in the country, which has been instrumental in ensuring the availability of products and providing unparalleled customer support.
“Canon Middle East’s investment in the customer experience center represents our ongoing commitment to driving innovation and empowering the printing industry in Saudi Arabia,” said Shadi Bakhour, B2B business unit director at Canon Middle East. “Our goal is to exceed customer expectations through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technological advancement, thereby contributing to the socioeconomic development of the Kingdom as outlined in Vision 2030.”
The customer experience center will foster innovation and collaboration, positioning Canon Middle East as a trusted partner in Saudi Arabia’s transformative journey.
“By doubling its revenues in just two years and investing in local initiatives, Canon demonstrates its dedication to not only meet but also exceed the expectations of Saudi customers,” the company said in a statement.
“As Saudi Arabia progresses toward achieving its ambitious Vision 2030, Canon Middle East remains committed to supporting the nation’s goals across various sectors. With opportunities for growth abound, Canon is poised to capitalize on mega-deals and initiatives that drive the Saudi economy forward.”
