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flyadeal expands regional footprint with new Dubai office

Farooq Ahmad, flyadeal head of sales, added: “We’ve been gradually stepping up our international sales support network across the region

Updated 22 July 2025

Arab News

July 21, 2025 23:59

Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost airline flyadeal has opened a dedicated sales office in Dubai to support customers and the travel trade, in the latest move to increase its presence in the emirate.

With the appointment of Orient Travel as the airline’s new general sales agent responsible for overseeing flyadeal sales in the UAE, the airline has also recruited Mudassir Dhanse as its new UAE country sales manager.

The opening ceremony of the new office, located within the premises of Orient Travel on Sheikh Zayed Road, was attended by key travel partners. Orient Travel Co-owners Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al-Qasmi and Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al-Qasmi, presided over the opening. Orient Travel CEO Asim Arshad and visiting senior management from flyadeal headquarters in Jeddah, led by CEO Steven Greenway and Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Rogier van Enk, were also present.

flyadeal has built up a successful split operation in Dubai to serve travelers in the heart of the city and the southern part to make accessibility easier for all, says Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal

flyadeal currently operates up to six daily scheduled flights between Riyadh and Dubai International Airport, a route launched just over two years ago. The airline also has a daily service linking the Saudi capital with Dubai World Central in southern Dubai that began in summer 2024.

flyadeal CEO Greenway said: “flyadeal has built up a successful split operation in Dubai to serve travelers in the heart of the city and the southern part to make accessibility easier for all. Of course we are looking to build capacity even further from up to seven daily flights across both Dubai airports as we induct new aircraft into the fleet. It’s just a matter of time before we increase frequency on these highly popular routes as we also look at venturing beyond Dubai exploring additional new route opportunities into other UAE markets.”

FASTFACT

Orient Travel has been named flyadeal’s new general sales agent responsible for overseeing the airline’s sales in the UAE.

Farooq Ahmad, flyadeal head of sales, added: “We’ve been gradually stepping up our international sales support network across the region. The addition of a GSA in Dubai to cover the UAE and having Mudassir onboard, who is well known to the UAE travel trade, provide us with a strong presence to provide our passengers and travel trade with the go-to support in one of the most dynamic markets in the Gulf.”

flyadeal has become one of the region’s fastest growing airlines with a current fleet of 39 Airbus A320 family aircraft serving more than 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. The airline is set to more than triple in size in fleet and destinations served by 2030.

The carrier has just embarked on its summer seasonal flying program with the return of popular destinations in Egypt, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Topics: flyadeal Saudi Arabia

SDB partners with Italian institute to train Asir craftsmen

A partnership was signed between the Social Development Bank and the Italian Institute of Contemporary Art.

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 23:04

SDB partners with Italian institute to train Asir craftsmen

The event witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the SDB and the IICA

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 23:04

The Social Development Bank hosted an event to train and empower local craftsmen and jewelry designers in the Asir region, in association with the Italian Institute of Contemporary Art, one of the world’s leading institutes specializing in contemporary craft design and artistic jewelry making.

The event, “Asir: Craftsmanship Celebration,” offered specialized training in creating handicrafts using copper and gold leaf, reflecting the artists’ national identity while aligning with contemporary artistic trends. It drew inspiration from local cultural heritage, particularly Asir’s Al-Qatt art form, to reimagine traditional techniques in a modern context, capturing the spirit and cultural uniqueness of the region.

HIGHLIGHT

This agreement is part of the bank’s efforts to expand its international partnerships and transfer global expertise to the local market by offering specialized training programs.

This initiative enhanced participants’ technical and production skills in metal forming and professional techniques, ensuring they can produce high-quality pieces that meet market demands. Additionally, the aim is to transform these skills into sustainable economic opportunities by enabling participants to design and implement marketable models for the hospitality, hotel, and luxury gift sectors.

The event witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the SDB and the IICA. This agreement is part of the bank’s efforts to expand its international partnerships and transfer global expertise to the local market by offering specialized training programs in several regions of the Kingdom, supporting the empowerment of productive groups, and enhancing their competitiveness.

The event also hosted a session titled “Asir’s Most Splendid Diwaniya,” which featured a group of entrepreneurs, investors, and local experts. It addressed strategic themes related to the integration of the crafts and tourism sectors, the role of freelance work in enhancing project readiness and reducing costs for seasonal establishments, and ways to invest in local resources and develop culturally relevant products. Participants spotlighted the significance of raising the economic value of national crafts and linking them to tourism and hospitality.

The “Asir: Craftsmanship Celebration” event reflects the SDB’s commitment to empowering craft and creative project owners by transforming skills into economic opportunities. Since launching its specialized training program in 2023, the bank has trained more than 300 beneficiaries, created 250 quality products, and qualified 30 percent of participants for financing, enabling more than 150 productive families to expand their businesses. Over the last two years, the initiative has conducted more than 15 training programs, with 40 percent of participants receiving funding, resulting in a 40 percent increase in sales for existing projects. The program also organized seven dialogue forums to foster collaboration with supporting entities.

The event serves as a key interactive track within this training program, linking productive families and self-employed individuals with investors, and enhancing the integration of crafts and tourism in the Asir region. It highlights the crucial role of handicrafts in the tourism experience and the importance of self-employment in the local hospitality sector.

Topics: SDB

Petromin Express marks 25 years with ‘Millionaire’ campaign

Yazid Waleed Al-Mutairi has been announced as the first winner.

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 23:01

Petromin Express marks 25 years with ‘Millionaire’ campaign

Yazid Waleed Al-Mutairi has been announced as the first winner, walking home with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 23:01

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Petromin Express, one of the Kingdom’s leading names in fast automotive maintenance services, has launched a campaign titled “25 Years of Leadership, Your Chance to Become a Millionaire!” The aim is to thank loyal customers and attract new ones.

As part of this new marketing initiative, Petromin Express is offering exclusive deals and prizes, including raffle draws with valuable rewards. The grand prize is a staggering SR1 million ($266.6 million) and additional prizes include free maintenance vouchers, ACDelco batteries, Nexen tires and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The raffle events are conducted in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and the ECOPON platform.

Yazid Waleed Al-Mutairi has been announced as the first winner, walking home with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Running until Aug. 13, the campaign is open to individuals aged 18 and above. To participate, customers simply need to visit any Petromin Express branch. Officially licensed by the Ministry of Commerce, the campaign has received extensive media coverage and support from influencers and celebrities across various platforms, highlighting the significance of the initiative and the strong reputation Petromin holds in the Saudi market.

In line with its continued commitment to digital transformation and enhancing the customer experience, Petromin Express has introduced an interactive chatbot service — “Virtual Assistant” — on WhatsApp, offering fast and responsive support. The company launched the “Petromin It” mobile app, designed to provide a suite of smart services that efficiently and conveniently meet customer needs.

Tariq Javed, CEO of the National Automotive Services Company, a subsidiary of Petromin Group, said: “Petromin Express has successfully built a strong brand since its inception. The company has established a notable presence both locally and internationally, with operations in Egypt, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, and the UAE.”

“Our customers are integral to our success,” he added. “This exceptional campaign shows our ongoing commitment to strengthening our relationship with them, offering innovative, interactive experiences that reflect Petromin Express’s leadership in the automotive maintenance sector. The campaign also represents our aspirations to reach the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

Since its inception, Petromin Express has served over 10 million customers through a wide network of more than 650 service centers across Saudi Arabia.

Topics: Petromin Express

Huawei Cloud hosts Developer Conference 2025 to empower local talent

(X @HuaweiCloud1)

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 22:57

Huawei Cloud hosts Developer Conference 2025 to empower local talent

Saudi developers now have direct access to Huawei’s global cloud initiatives, including the Huawei Cloud Developer Program, the Huawei Cloud Startup Program, and the Huawei Cloud Certified Developer for AI

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 22:57

Huawei Cloud, in collaboration with the Center for Digital Entrepreneurship and NAUATECH, recently hosted the Saudi Arabia 2025 Huawei Cloud Developer Conference. Held at CODE’s headquarters in Riyadh, the event brought together a group of developers and startup founders from across the Kingdom.

The conference highlighted the added value Huawei Cloud brings to the local developer and startup ecosystems. It showcased Huawei’s comprehensive, AI-powered cloud services and its suite of cloud-native development tools. Serving as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, the event reinforced Huawei’s commitment to building a robust digital ecosystem and enabling technical talent in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious digital transformation agenda.

A key focus of the event was hands-on empowerment through specialized training programs, advanced development tools, and globally recognized professional certifications. Saudi developers now have direct access to Huawei’s global cloud initiatives, including the Huawei Cloud Developer Program, the Huawei Cloud Startup Program, and the Huawei Cloud Certified Developer for AI. These initiatives not only provide technical training but also offer integrated business support and international certifications — enabling developers to build strong career paths, scale their innovations, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s growing cloud ecosystem.

During the event, Huawei Cloud reaffirmed its support for the Kingdom’s expanding developer community. The company currently offers more than 90 cloud services, with plans to expand to more than 200 services through three availability zones in the Riyadh region. Huawei continues to invest in infrastructure, training, and tooling to accelerate the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cloud landscape.

Notably, Huawei Cloud has received “Class C” certification — the highest cloud classification awarded by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission — demonstrating the platform’s compliance with strict local and international standards for security, performance, and reliability.

The conference also featured highlights of Huawei’s latest AI infrastructure innovations. Attendees were introduced to ModelArts, Huawei’s cutting-edge AI development platform that significantly reduces the time and complexity of deploying AI solutions — from months to just days.

Topics: Huawei cloud

Maestro Pizza and Netflix partner for ‘Squid Game 3’ menu

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 10:00

Maestro Pizza and Netflix partner for ‘Squid Game 3’ menu

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 10:00

Maestro Pizza, a leading quick-service restaurant chain, has announced a partnership with Netflix to launch a limited-edition menu inspired by the highly anticipated series “Squid Game 3.” This unique culinary experience is now available across Maestro Pizza locations in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

The collaboration introduces Pizza 456, a bold new offering that draws inspiration from the main character and iconic symbols of the global hit series. Complementing this, Maestro Pizza is also serving OX Chicken Bites, featuring crispy chicken paired with distinctive green “O” and red “X” sauces, a playful homage to the show’s memorable visuals.

To amplify this partnership, Maestro Pizza has rolled out a comprehensive promotional campaign, which includes:

A Squid Game-themed branding truck making appearances in key cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah.
Extensive out-of-home advertisements in prominent locations.
Engaging TikTok videos showcasing fan-centric challenges and user-generated content.
Interactive contests and influencer collaborations across popular social media platforms like Instagram and X.

Fans will also discover various thematic elements from the show, such as “Player 456” and “Red Light, Green Light,” integrated throughout the marketing campaign, designed to enhance the overall immersive experience.

Moreover, customers can avail a special promotion: buy one pizza online and get one free using the code “Pizzas” at maestropizza.com/menu.

Established in 2013, Maestro Pizza has rapidly grown to over 200 locations, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the Kingdom.

Leejam, SURJ sign MoU to elevate Saudi sports

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 00:55

Leejam, SURJ sign MoU to elevate Saudi sports

Partnering with SURJ aligns with our strategic vision to foster active lifestyles, deliver value for shareholders, and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s socioeconomic goals

Updated 04 August 2025

Arab News

August 04, 2025 00:55

Leejam Sports Company, a network of sports and fitness centers in Saudi Arabia and a publicly listed company, and SURJ Sports Investment, a sports investment company in the Kingdom, have announced the signing of an MoU to accelerate growth and innovation across the Kingdom’s dynamic sports ecosystem, particularly in fitness and community engagement.

Signed by Abdulelah Al-Nemr, CEO of Leejam Sports Company, and Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, the agreement reflects a shared ambition to elevate sports participation, scale innovation, expand access to world-class fitness experiences, and activate new models of community engagement and wellness innovation — in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to build a more active, inclusive, and healthier society.

Partnering with SURJ aligns with our strategic vision to foster active lifestyles, deliver value for shareholders, and contribute to KSA’s socioeconomic goals, says Abdulelah Al-Nemr, Board Member and CEO, Leejam Sports Company

The agreement outlines a broad framework for collaboration across six key areas: stadia and fitness facility operations, co-investment in sports properties, sponsorship and brand engagement, community activation and mass participation, data and technology integration, and co-creation of content and media production.

Abdulelah Al-Nemr, board member and CEO of Leejam Sports Company, said: “This MoU marks a pivotal step in Leejam’s journey to further solidify our role as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s wellness transformation. Partnering with SURJ aligns with our strategic vision to foster active lifestyles, deliver value for shareholders, and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s socioeconomic goals. We look forward to harnessing our national footprint and digital platforms to scale this collaboration across communities and sports disciplines.”

Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, said: “Leejam’s scale and expertise in fitness and wellness make them a natural partner as we continue to grow Saudi Arabia’s sports ecosystem. This MoU reflects our shared commitment to participation, performance, and innovation, and to unlocking opportunities that go beyond traditional investment models. From stadiums to digital assets, and from community challenges to elite content, we’re excited to explore how we can bring the power of sport closer to more people across the country.”

As Saudi Arabia’s largest and trusted network of fitness centers, operating under the “Fitness Time” brand, Leejam brings unparalleled market reach and operational capabilities.

Through this partnership, Leejam will assess opportunities to operate or support fitness and wellness zones within SURJ-backed facilities, and to activate programming aligned with SURJ’s investments in major sports events and leagues. The MoU also covers exploratory co-investment models in sports IP, as well as leveraging Leejam’s national footprint to scale SURJ-led activations and co-host fitness activations that promote grassroots participation in sports.

Additional areas of focus in the MoU include sponsorship engagement opportunities, ranging from access to Leejam facilities and athlete visibility within gym environments to joint sports promotion campaigns and sponsorship for SURJ-owned IP.

A core pillar of the partnership includes data and technology collaboration, enabling both entities to share insights on performance metrics, gym technologies, and digital engagement tools, as well as co-development of short-form and live fitness content across platforms.

This announcement comes at a time of rapid progress for Saudi Arabia’s sports sector. Nearly 50 percent of Saudis are now engaged in weekly physical activity, up from just 13 percent in 2015, while the number of multi-sport clubs has surged from nine to 126, and sports federations have tripled to reach 98.

Women’s participation in sport in Saudi Arabia has seen extraordinary growth, with a 149 percent increase since 2015 and more than 330,000 registered female athletes today.

Topics: Leejam SURJ

flyadeal expands regional footprint with new Dubai office