daa International has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Plaza Premium Group, a global leader in airport hospitality, for the management of premium hospitality services at Red Sea International Airport. 

This collaboration will see PPG implement its exceptional Plaza Premium First standards in Saudi Arabia for the first time, further reinforcing RSI’s position as a best-in-class airport that blends seamless efficiency with first-class hospitality.

The Plaza Premium Group will manage a range of premium services that include four premium lounges for passengers, five F&B outlets, and seven dining rooms catering to airport staff. In a first for Saudi Arabia, the premium departure lounges will deliver a fully a la carte dining experience for all passengers as a luxurious final touchpoint on their departure journey. 

Andrew Tyler-Smith, chief executive officer of RSI, said: “Our partnership with Plaza Premium Group marks an exciting step forward in delivering an elevated airport experience. By combining our expertise in airport management with Plaza Premium Group’s global excellence in hospitality, we are setting a new standard for comfort, service, and innovation. We look forward to welcoming travelers to our premium lounges and dining spaces, where every detail is designed to enhance their journey.” 

The new RSI airport has been thoughtfully designed to draw inspiration from the natural beauty of the desert, the serenity of a green oasis, and the vastness of the sea. This innovative design aims to eliminate the usual stresses associated with travel, offering passengers a tranquil and memorable experience from the moment they arrive. 

The terminal’s architecture is crafted to bring the exclusive feel of a private aircraft terminal to every traveler. By creating smaller, intimate spaces, the airport ensures a luxurious and personalized experience for all passengers. The lounges and F&B outlets will be meticulously designed to provide a luxurious and relaxing environment, perfectly aligning with the sustainable and high-end ethos of The Red Sea destination. 

Bora Isbulan, deputy CEO of Plaza Premium Group, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to join forces with Red Sea International Airport at this groundbreaking airport. With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the forefront of our strategic priorities and significant investments allocated for the region, we take immense pride in this partnership. As the global leader in airport hospitality solutions with the largest network of lounges worldwide, we will leverage our expertise to transform this sustainable gateway into a luxury destination for discerning travelers. Our world-class teams, award-winning services and integrated technology solutions deliver personalized journeys at every touchpoint. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our commitment to elevating airport experiences while supporting the Red Sea destination’s vision for responsible luxury tourism.” 

Okan Kufeci, senior vice president, EMEA of Plaza Premium Group, said: “Our strategic partnership with Red Sea International Airport marks a significant milestone in our portfolio expansion across Middle East. By introducing Plaza Premium First standards to Saudi Arabia, we are not only enhancing the travel experience but also reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality solutions globally. This collaboration is a testament to our ongoing efforts to innovate and elevate airport services, setting new benchmarks for comfort and luxury.”

barq has announced a strategic partnership with Western Union, a global leader in international money transfers. This collaboration aims to redefine remittance services in the Kingdom, enabling millions of users to send and receive money through the barq app with unmatched ease and security.

By combining Western Union's extensive global payment network with barq's advanced financial technology, users can now enjoy immediate access to international money transfer services directly within the barq app. This partnership aligns seamlessly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on accelerating digital transformation and fostering financial inclusion across the Kingdom.

Through this integration, barq users will benefit from enhanced convenience, faster transactions, and the ability to send money globally with a trusted, world-class partner. The partnership ensures secure international transfers at competitive rates while significantly reducing the time and effort required, thanks to Western Union's network spanning over 200 countries.

Faisal Al-Khamisi, chairman of barq, stated: "This partnership represents a new strategic step that positions barq at the forefront of financial innovation. It aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to accelerate digital transformation and promote financial inclusion. At barq, we believe that providing advanced financial solutions is not limited to offering payment services alone but extends to transforming the user experience. This is what we are achieving today through this integration, which provides easy, fast, and secure international remittance services to millions of users, strengthening barq's position as one of the most important players in the digital financial sector."

This partnership underscores barq's commitment to financial empowerment and innovation, solidifying its position as a leading digital financial services company in Saudi Arabia.

Notably, barq is the fastest-growing digital wallet in the Kingdom, boasting over three million satisfied users in record time since its launch. It continues to enhance user experiences and deliver world-class financial services through groundbreaking partnerships and alliances.