Saudia Group Honored for Strategic Excellence in Project Management
Riyadh — Saudia Group has been recognized with the Strategy Excellence Award at the prestigious Global Project Excellence Awards, marking a milestone in the group’s ongoing transformation journey.
The accolade celebrates the company’s advanced project management practices and its growing global leadership in operational excellence.
The award was presented during the Project Management Offices Summit 2025 held at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh. This global event brought together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to honor organizations that have achieved exceptional success in strategic project management.
Emad Al-Ghamdi, General Manager of Transformation and PMO at Saudia Holding, expressed pride in the recognition, emphasizing that the win reflects years of dedicated effort and collaboration.
He highlighted the strong support received from the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the group’s Director General, which has played a crucial role in Saudia’s ongoing transformation.
Al-Ghamdi described the award as a reflection of Saudia’s commitment to advancing its strategic Transformation Program. He noted that the company has achieved new levels of maturity, capability, and excellence in portfolio and program management.
He added that Saudia Group has implemented advanced portfolio management tools, predictive analytics, and is preparing for AI-driven dashboards to enhance visibility, decision-making, and proactive governance. These tools ensure that every project contributes directly to the group’s long-term goals of sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.
Al-Ghamdi emphasized that the Project Management Office (PMO) plays a central role as an enabler of strategy across the organization.
The PMO ensures that each initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and national development objectives.
According to Al-Ghamdi, Saudia’s future PMO strategy revolves around three key pillars — sustainability, intelligence, and impact.
These guiding principles aim to transform the PMO into a dynamic and strategic engine that drives innovation and creates measurable value.
He further explained that the group plans to deepen its digital intelligence, expand local content, and enhance performance through technology-driven processes. This includes the adoption of data-based insights, AI technologies, and advanced governance systems to set new standards for regional PMO performance.
Looking ahead, Al-Ghamdi shared a clear vision for Saudia’s next phase of growth. “Our vision is to reach new heights and farther destinations,” he said, “making the PMO a strategic engine that accelerates transformation, empowers teams, and sets benchmarks for excellence across the region.”
He also offered guidance for emerging PMO leaders, encouraging them to lead with purpose and adaptability. He stressed that success in modern project management is no longer about control, but about collaboration, innovation, and maintaining a strong focus on organizational value.
The Global Project Excellence Awards, now in their fifth cycle, recognize both local and international organizations that demonstrate exceptional skill in project and portfolio management. The event celebrates innovation and leadership while promoting global standards in governance, accountability, and performance excellence.
Under the patronage of Badr Al-Dulami, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Services for Roads Affairs, the summit honored 24 organizations and 15 individuals for their outstanding contributions. The event coincided with International Project Management Day, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a hub for innovation and leadership in the global project management community.
The recognition of Saudia Group underscores the Kingdom’s broader commitment to advancing national industries through innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability.
It also reaffirms Saudia’s reputation as a leader in implementing modern management practices that drive long-term success and contribute to the nation’s economic vision.
As Saudia continues its journey toward greater innovation and global competitiveness, the Strategy Excellence Award stands as a testament to its dedication to quality, transformation, and purpose-driven leadership.
With its focus on sustainability and intelligence, the group is well positioned to continue setting new benchmarks in project management excellence across the aviation industry and beyond.
