TLN KSA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

WITH MR GELBAN BIN MOHAMMED AL-GELBAN CEO OF ALTANFEETHI COMPANY

Mr. Gelban bin Mohammed Al-Gelban is the CEO of ALTANFEETHI Company, which manages and operates all executive terminals at airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (The Executive Office) was established in 1979, for official ceremonies and for Welcoming state delegations, It has more than 40 years of continuous excellence in offerings and service to a client’s base used to the highest standard and prestige. In March 2021, ALTANFEETHI was established in accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors of GACA.

ALTANFEETHI was established as part of the privatization program of the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia. Over the past months, ALTANFEETHI has seen a significant expansion in the level of services it provides and in the quality of its products, to the extent that it is appreciated and commended by its guests.

The exclusive services and sophisticated benefits of the ALTANFEETHI have also attracted the attention of the Kingdom’s elite. ALTANFEETHI has 27 terminals equipped with the best and finest facilities at both international and domestic airports in the Kingdom, as many services with the highest quality standards to provide a unique and unforgettable experience for their guests. ALTANFEETHI seeks to become the world’s leading name by providing a unique travel experience and world-class services that exceed the expectations of its network members.

Al-Gelban held the position of Vice President of Commercial Group at 2017 in Riyadh Airports Company, He has a master’s degree in Organizational Development Change from the University of California La Verne, USA. He also holds a diploma in Airport Executive Leadership Program from ACI, JSMB-Concordia University USA and a Certificate in Airport Business Operation Diploma, plus a Certificate in Airside Safety from ACI, Airports Council International. Also, he has many certificates in the field of business development, finance, and aviation. He has extensive experience in executive leadership, strategic and commercial planning, and organizational development.

1. Tell us more about ALTANFEETHI’s mission?

Our mission at ALTANFEETHI is to create an exceptional experience for all guests. Our country is witnessing a remarkable growth in the number of tourists and travelers. Therefore, we are working to develop the quality of services and create products to become more integrated and in line with the highest international standards to provide a unique and exceptional experience for guests.

ALTANFEETHI is the leading luxury travel brand in Saudi Arabia. It provides a VIP service for members and meets the needs of its guests, whether princes, ministers, or representatives of countries, as well as HNWI travelers and tourists. Last year, more than 5,000 guests traveled through our ALTANEEEHI terminals from 111,000 flights and through +100 destinations from + 1,000 local and international airlines.

We curate customized services that cater to the discerning needs of the guests, providing round-the-clock support to surprise and create “wow” Experience in line with clients’ high expectations. we seek to expand and spread in a market that is witnessing continuous growth, to become the leading name in the world with the support we receive from the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors and the integration of efforts with our strategic partners as well as the cooperation of ALTANFEETHI team.

2. How did your career in Airport management came about?

In fact, I am very proud to work in the air transport sector as it is one of the most dynamic sectors that serve travelers from all over the world and contribute to creating an exceptional travel experience. Since 2017, I have been the vice president of the commercial group in the “Riyadh Airports” company, which is manages and operates King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Furthermore, In the same year I appointed as the Sponsor of the

Privatization Program, Secretary of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee as well as Secretary of the Investment Committee, after that in 2019 I was appointed as General Manager of Strategy and Corporate Affairs. In addition to the tasks and duties that I perform. In the same year, I appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Economic City of King Khalid International Airport.

In 2021, I was granted confidence by the Board of Directors of ALTANFEETHI, by appointing me as CEO of the company, which was established according to the decision of the Board of Directors of (GACA) to achieve the company’s vision to be the first brand of luxury in all its services. Through my experience, I seek to create innovative means in Saudi airport terminals and curate unique experience.

3. How significant is it for ALTANFEETHI to provide hospitality services in Saudi Arabia’s airport executive lounges for traveling guests?

One of our values is hospitality as well as luxury. They are linked to each other because we believe that it is part of our role to provide this service that reflects these values to all guests. With the trust of our partners and customers, and in less than a year, we have become a gateway to all the Kingdom’s guests, and the company’s name is known on all occasions. Over the past year, we have participated in more than 40 participations and sponsorships for government agencies and the private sector to reception their guests through our terminal, the most important of which are the International Mining Conference, and the Future Aviation and The Future Investment Initiative (FII).

As we continue to strive to provide the finest and most luxurious services, whether at the operational level in terms of innovation, means and methods to enhance operational efficiency, or at the level of achieving commercial excellence by adding new and distinctive services to guests by adding shopping sites inside the halls.

As well as partnership with international brands that suit the taste of our guests and add Various transportation options, in addition to launching a package of various services aimed at technical transformation in all services provided, with the aim of making it easier for our guests to use the services. We believe that our terminals are not only a place for reception, but a gateway for all the Kingdom’s guests, strategic partners in the most essential occasions and important arm in achieving the aims strategy of the civil aviation sector.

4. Tell us more about the purpose behind the establishment of the Saudi Cup?

I am pleased to share with you that the ALTANFEETHI will sign a sponsorship agreement with the Jockey Club for all horse races of 3 years, and the ALTANFEETHI will be a platinum partner, which is the highest category in sponsorships among the important events is the Saudi Cup.

This agreement comes from a group of agreements that aim to achieve the company’s strategy and reflects our interest in being present at all important and luxurious events at the local and international levels.

5. How does ALTANFEETHI play out regarding the Kingdom’s national vision 2030?

The strategic pillars of ALTANFEETHI were determined based on the Civil Aviation Strategy in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Thus our company is a part of the privatization program which is a contributor to the national development. Therefore, we are an auxiliary arm to double the capacity and reach 330 million passengers annually, from more than 250 destinations in the world, to develop and grow this important vital sector. Accordingly, we are working on applying the best practices globally to improve the level of passenger services, and raise the efficiency of operating services, in addition to how to provide all requirements for travelers in a smooth and distinct way that contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aimed at improving the services provided at the Kingdom’s airports and developing them to be among the most advanced airports and world-leading.

Among the most important pillars is also strengthening the company’s role in supporting the gross domestic product (GDP), advancing the national economy, supporting saudisation and solving the unemployment problem.

Here I would like to mention what Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that the Kingdom seeks a normal rate of unemployment between 4-7% within Vision 2030. And we strive to create jobs and raise our Saudization rate, Therefore, one of our priorities in the company is to create jobs for our youth and support them, as well as increase the rate of Sau- dization as a result of this, in the first year, we got the second place among the companies with the highest localization in 2021 in the transportation sector honored by His Excellency Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, this means a lot to us, and we are still at the beginning.

6. ALTANFEETHI signed an agreement with The Red Sea Company, tell us more about it.

During the past year 2022, we signed more than 12 agreements in several fields and sectors, Among the most prominent agreements are private aviation, tourism and hospitality which come as part of our strategic goals and plans in expanding, managing VIP terminals in the Kingdom’s airports, providing services Exceptional for guests, including our agreement with the Red Sea Company to provide hospitality services and operate lounges and terminals to improve the travel experience as main aim of this agreement.

7. What can we expect in the near future?

Expansion and prosperity, achieving commercial excellence and attracting investments are one of the main pillars and providing an environment that opens business potential, expands the economic base, and provides job opportunities for all Saudis.

We seek to achieve this by taking advantage of the unique location of the Kingdom and its capabilities and attracting the best talents in ALTANFEETHI and developing them in all fields to attract more global investments. We will soon