Company builds on a proud legacy and continues development and growth through strategic transformation to keep pace with the future and serve the Kingdom’s economy and Vision 2030
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC) held an event in Jeddah on the 19th of December 2021. The event was attended by a number of their Excellencies, guests, ex-leaders, and top executives of Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), in addition to the presence of a group of Saudi eminent persons. The attendees were received & welcomed by the company’s Chairman Mr. Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Sarhan, board members, CEO Mr. Wajdi bin Mohammed Al Ghabban, as well as the company’s top executives.
Over the past 40 years, SACC has succeeded in building a respected legacy and solid partnerships, emerging as a leading company through strategic transformation to keep pace with the future and build on its strengths to achieve sustainable growth and profitability. Established in 1981 at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to provide catering services to the Kingdom’s flag carrier Saudia, SACC has grown into a broad and diversified enterprise offering a full suite of food and beverage, retail, hospitality, and support services to local and international clients. As part of the airlines’ privatization drive in 2008, SACC was restructured as a limited liability company, launching support services for non-aviation sectors.
With the start of the second decade of the twenty-first century, SACC was converted into a joint stock company based on a decision by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The company launched an initial public offering in 2012 and its shares were traded on the Saudi Stock Exchange “Tadawul”. The journey of growth, progress, and development continued with the launch of the Skysales online platform, the diversification of services, the signing of new contracts, the opening of Skysales stores at Saudi airports, the launch of the Wellcome Lounge at the international departure terminals 1 and 2 at King Khalid International Airport, and the creation of strategic partnerships, including one with the European group “Lagardère”, a pioneer in duty-free market operations. On the international level, the company opened the first international lounge for Saudi Airlines at Cairo International Airport. In 2019, the contract between the SACC and Saudia was extended for an additional 10 years, and the company expanded into the sports and entertainment sector through a catering and sponsorship agreement with Rally Dakar 2020 in Saudi Arabia and the signing of a new 10-year contract with Saudia to design, build and operate the AlFursan Domestic lounge at the new King Abdulaziz International Airport, while continuing to provide services for more than 100 airlines annually in the in-flight catering sector.
Despite the challenges to the aviation and related sectors brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, SACC managed to withstand the storm and continued to diversify its business, accelerate its strategic transformation, and consolidate its position in the food, beverage, and events sectors. It launched new revenue streams to counter the decline in revenue across the three segments of its operations, namely, the in-flight catering division, the retail division, and the catering and facilities management division.
SACC Board Chairman Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Sarhan commented: “We are moving forward on solid grounds that allow us to enhance strategic growth as the demand for air traffic and tourism in the Kingdom returns. In the meantime, we continue our investment in digital transformation and automation to build a more resilient and effective company for the future. We will continue to work together to diversify our business and speed up recovery to create added value for our customers and the national economy of the Kingdom and contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030.”
For his part, SACC Chief Executive Officer Wajdy Al-Ghabban, said: “Today we celebrate the anniversary of a long journey that spanned over forty years, while looking to the future with hope and determination to provide the best services. Through our company’s new strategy, we will focus on achieving a greater degree of balance between in-flight catering activities and other business activities by improving catering services, developing the catering business and facilities management, transforming retail activities, and exploring new opportunities for organic and inorganic growth that will further increase the scope and strength of our business.”
SACC is committed to achieving its vision and mission, and it commends the great role played by all its employees, their outstanding efforts and resilience in the face of difficulties, and their commitment to the company’s sustainability during the unprecedented challenges faced by the sector, as they played a key role in supporting the company’s success.