Emirates has announced a $16 billion deal for 36 additional Airbus A380 aircraft, with 20 firm orders and 16 options. Emirates’ A380 fleet operates both GE and Rolls-Royce engines, and the airline is evaluating engine options for its latest A380 order.
The additional Airbus A380s will be delivered to Emirates from 2020 onwards. Together with the airline’s 101-strong A380 fleet and its current order backlog for 41 aircraft, this new order brings Emirates’ commitment to the A380 program to 178 aircraft, worth over $60 billion.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, said: “Emirates truly represents Dubai’s spirit of growth, innovation and resilience. It also epitomises the city’s increasing role in connecting the world in terms of people, capital and information flows. This deal reflects Emirates’ confidence in shaping the future, and its commitment to advancing Dubai’s vision to grow further as a world-class destination and aviation hub.”
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, signed the memorandum of understanding with John Leahy, chief operating officer customers, Airbus Commercial Aircraft at the airline’s headquarters in Dubai.
Sheikh Ahmed said: “We’ve made no secret of the fact that the A380 has been a success for Emirates. Our customers love it, and we’ve been able to deploy it on different missions across our network, giving us flexibility in terms of range and passenger mix.”
He added: “Some of the new A380s we’ve just ordered will be used as fleet replacements. This order will provide stability to the A380 production line. We will continue to work closely with Airbus to further enhance the aircraft and onboard product, so as to offer our passengers the best possible experience. The beauty of this aircraft is that the technology and real estate on board gives us plenty of room to do something different with the interiors.”
“I would like to thank Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed, Tim Clark and Adel Al-Redha for their continued support of the A380,” said Leahy.
“This aircraft has contributed enormously to Emirates’ growth and success since 2008 and we are delighted that it will continue to do so. This new order underscores Airbus’ commitment to produce the A380 at least for another 10 years. I’m personally convinced more orders will follow Emirates’ example and that this great aircraft will be built well into the 2030s.”
Emirates orders 36 A380s in $16bn deal
Emirates orders 36 A380s in $16bn deal
SEVEN to bring Mattel’s Hot Wheels e-karting to Kingdom
Saudi Entertainment Ventures, known as SEVEN, part of Qiddiya Investment Company, a wholly owned Public Investment Fund entity, and Mattel, a multinational toy and entertainment company, have announced that they will be bringing the Hot Wheels e-karting racing tracks to six cities across Saudi Arabia. With the addition of Hot Wheels e-karts, SEVEN continues to bolster its portfolio and further build the karting community, following its announcement earlier this year that it would be bringing indoor e-karting centers to multiple SEVEN entertainment destinations.
Hot Wheels e-karts are engineered to push the limits of performance and are designed for the ultimate racing challenge. They combine competition, experimentation, safety, and creativity to provide thrilling vehicle challenges that develop the skills and confidence for kids to take on the world. The Hot Wheels e-karting experiences will be in SEVEN’s entertainment complexes in Riyadh, Makkah, Taif, Madinah, Tabuk, and Jazan.
Damien Latham, chief attractions officer at SEVEN, said: “We aspire to build solid partnerships that will enrich our innovative journey toward transforming Saudi Arabia into a leading global hub for entertainment through developing a unique entertainment ecosystem. The partnership with the Hot Wheels brand will bring Mattel’s brand mission to the Kingdom — to ignite the challenger spirit that lives in every person to help them reach their true potential. It will help our guests build and nurture their skills, accelerating the potential of Saudi Arabia’s promising young drivers and helping shape the future of karting champions.”
“Hot Wheels captures the challenger spirit, inspiring everyone to reach their full potential,” Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer at Mattel, said. “This ethos aligns perfectly with SEVEN’s mission to deliver world-class entertainment that brings joy and excitement. More than just an e-karting experience, it’s a turbocharged destination for families, thrill-seekers, competitors, and newcomers alike. We’re excited to partner with SEVEN to bring ‘Hot Wheels’ across the Kingdom.”
SEVEN is investing more than SR50 billion ($13.3 billion) to build 21 entertainment destinations in 14 cities around the Kingdom, which will provide unique and innovative world-class entertainment and global partnerships from within the sector.
Najm campaign seeks to protect vehicle owners
Najm for Insurance Services has launched the third “Insure and Be Safe” campaign under the supervision of the Insurance Authority and in collaboration with the Executive Committee of Insurance Companies, Vehicle Insurance Sub-committee and other entities operating in the vehicle insurance sector. This campaign is a national initiative to raise insurance awareness, enhance road safety, improve quality of life, and contribute to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The campaign, which has the slogan “Don’t Wait,” will run throughout October and November this year. It will highlight the importance of insurance as an effective means of protection against the losses caused by traffic accidents and urge vehicle owners not to wait until accidents occur. It also seeks to increase their awareness of the risks of driving without valid insurance coverage. Moreover, the campaign encourages drivers to take advantage of the services and benefits provided by Najm and insurance companies when purchasing or renewing insurance policies. This includes the “No Claim Discount” service, which allows policyholders to benefit from a discount of up to 60 percent off the insurance premium due to having an insurance record free of accidents and claims.
Vehicle insurance ranks second in the Saudi insurance sector after health insurance, accounting for 21.8 percent of the market share, with written premiums totaling SR14.3 billion ($3.8 billion) in 2023, marking a 38.2 percent growth ratio compared to the previous year. The total paid claims in vehicle insurance witnessed a 5 percent increase, reaching SR8.6 billion in 2023, compared to SR8.2 billion in 2022. Insurance companies have paid claims amounting to SR35.6 billion to vehicle insurance policyholders and traffic accident victims over the past five years (2019-2023).
CEO of Najm for Insurance Services Mohammed Y. Al-Shehri, expressed appreciation for the Insurance Authority, the Executive Committee of Insurance Companies, Vehicle Insurance Sub-committee, and vehicle insurance companies for their participation in and support of this campaign.
He said: “The ‘Insure and Be Safe’ campaign reflects the integral role that the insurance sector plays in enhancing both community and economic safety. It acts as a cornerstone in protecting individuals and institutions from financial risks arising from traffic accidents.”
This campaign not only raises the level of insurance culture but also enhances the community’s understanding of the strategic role that insurance plays in maintaining resource sustainability and reducing the economic impacts of unexpected losses.
Al-Shehri said that the transformation in the vehicle insurance sector due to the adoption of digital innovations, has significantly contributed to improving the services offered to vehicle insurance policyholders. He highlighted the ongoing improvements made by Najm to facilitate accident surveying procedures and shorten the amount of time when it comes to issuing liability reports, referring to the pilot phase of the remote surveying service to protect the lives and property of drivers.
Takamol Holding showcases innovative solutions and success stories at GITEX Global
As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its international business relations and accelerate the digital economy, Takamol Holding is participating in the GITEX Global 2024 tech show, taking place from Oct. 14 to 18 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Takamol Holding is showcasing advanced technology solutions that meet the needs of local and international markets. The company is also highlighting its successful case studies and innovative solutions, which are aimed at improving operations using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Takamol Holding’s participation at GITEX reflects its commitment to building new business partnerships and expanding its client base. The company seeks to foster future collaborations by offering advanced solutions that cater to the diverse needs of various sectors.
GITEX Global, one of the largest tech events globally, features participants from over 180 countries, including more than 6,500 tech companies and 400 government entities. This global gathering offers an unparalleled platform for industry leaders to interact and explore emerging technology trends.
In line with its slogan “Humanized Innovations,” Takamol Holding specializes in providing total solutions to government, semi-government, and both profit and nonprofit private sectors, contributing to the ongoing effort to achieve social and economic development through cultivating environments that unleash the full potential of talents.
Takamol Holding has a proven track record of collaboration with several government agencies, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Through platforms like Qiwa, Ajeer and Musaned, the company has played a significant role in supporting businesses and workers by delivering total solutions.
Visitors can find Takamol Holding at Booth H19-A10 in Sheikh Saeed Hall (Hall 19) at Dubai World Trade Centre, where the company’s expert team is available to showcase their latest solutions and discuss potential collaborations.
As GITEX continues to be a cornerstone event for the tech industry, featuring advancements in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainable technologies, Takamol Holding’s presence underscores the growing importance of flexible, user-centric tech solutions in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.
Google brings flagship ‘Accelerate’ program to KSA
Google launched its flagship Accelerate program in Saudi Arabia with an event, bringing the latest advancements in AI-powered marketing to the Kingdom’s thriving business landscape.
Accelerate Saudi, held at Muvi Theatre in Boulevard Riyadh, unveiled the latest study conducted by BCG and Google, looking at AI-driven marketing maturity. The study indicates that businesses that use AI and generative AI to power data-driven marketing strategies were found to witness 1.9 times more profitable growth and are 39 percent more productive vs two years ago. In today’s market context characterized by rising prices, market volatility, and disruptive technologies, companies seeking to increase their digital maturity are facing ever-greater challenges.
Exclusive insights from a research on Saudi consumers done by Google and Ipsos were also discussed, providing valuable information into consumer trends in Saudi Arabia and their decision-making processes using behavioral science principles.
“The future of marketing is here, and it’s powered by AI,” said Charbel Sarkis, country director at Google, Saudi Arabia.
Sarkis believes this presents a significant opportunity for businesses. “Every business, regardless of its current digital maturity level, must strategically assess its capabilities and plan its growth trajectory,” he urged, adding: “Investing in advanced technologies, training integrated teams, and adopting a data-oriented culture are crucial steps for not just surviving but thriving in the digital age.”
“It’s an exciting time to be a marketer using AI, through the latest tools, allowing us to understand and connect with our audience like never before,” said Basel Hijazi, retail and marketing lead at Google, Saudi Arabia. He added: “Consumers now expect companies to anticipate their needs, and businesses must leverage AI to meet these expectations effectively.”
Findings from the research on Saudi consumers revealed that 53 percent of consumers are open to AI-powered personalized recommendations in their shopping journey. Furthermore, approximately 30 percent of Saudi consumers have increased spending on leisure, entertainment, and fashion due to the growing availability of options within the country. With inflation impacting consumer behavior, 92 percent of respondents indicated changes in their spending habits, with 31 percent actively seeking sales and discounts.
Google’s Accelerate program equipped Saudi businesses with the insights and tools necessary to navigate the evolving marketing landscape and harness the power of AI for sustainable growth and success.
GIB-Saudi Arabia to spread cancer awareness in Eastern Province
Gulf International Bank-Saudi Arabia has announced a new partnership with the Saudi Cancer Foundation to spread cancer awareness and support society in providing necessary care for cancer patients in the Eastern Province.
The signing ceremony, which is part of the “Eastern in Pink Campaign,” was attended by Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef, GIB Chairman Abdulla Al-Zamil and Chairwoman of Saudi Cancer Foundation May Al-Jabr, along with executives and dignitaries.
Through this collaboration, GIB-Saudi Arabia will support the foundation’s initiatives to continue its mission in delivering quality healthcare and awareness programs within the Eastern Province community.
Commenting on the partnership, Al-Zamil said: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Saudi Cancer Foundation in their mission of improving the well-being of cancer patients. This partnership is part of GIB’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and reflects our efforts to contribute positively to the community we operate in and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
Through its CSR programs, GIB-Saudi Arabia supports many nonprofit organizations that are actively providing services to the community and contributing to community development.
