The Gulf aviation market remains one of the most competitive markets in the world, a top official at Saudia revealed on Thursday.
“The GCC market remained very competitive as all Gulf countries operate by using their countries as a hub for their respective airlines but we don’t have that model in place,” Khaled Al-Molhem, Director General of the airline on the sidelines of the opening of the Saudi new offices in Bahrain on Thursday.
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“The GCC market continues to be an important for the airline and all steps will be taken to further consolidate this segment of Saudi business,” he said.
“Saudia (SV) is set to carry 26 million passengers across its network in 2013, an increase of 2million compared with 2012,” he said.
“Saudi has completed major restructuring making the airline operations more efficient and productive,” he added.
Talking about the business strategy he highlighted airline’s plans that brought about modernization of its technical infrastructure, upgrade of its service systems by applying modern international passenger management systems. He also referred to the airline’s fleet modernization efforts by purchasing 90 new aircraft.
“Saudi is currently serves 27 airports in domestic market and also planning to enhance its overseas network as part of strategy aimed at taking the airline to the new heights,” he said.
“Saudi handles about 40% of total traffic of Hajj and Omrah and this segment will remain a vital aspect of the business model. We are also working very hard to enhance the scope of online booking system which has reached 20% of the total revenues of the airline. Such steps will enhance the revenue base as well bring more efficiency and convenience to Saudi,” he added.
Referring to network expansion he said that inaugural flight to Toronto in October and April 2014 to Los Angeles is upcoming new destinations. Saudia currently operates flights to the US cities of Washington and New York.
He said Saudia would receive four of 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft by the end of 2013. “The new aircraft will be used for Los Angeles flights, thanks to the plane’s advanced features and passenger comfort.
He said the new flights would tap for Canada and the US apart from other passengers. From April 2013, Saudia will operate 14 flights weekly to Washington and New York, using larger aircraft.
Saudi also plans to operate 11 flights weekly to Paris, seven from Jeddah and four from Riyadh, using B777-200 aircraft and 14 flights to Geneva, seven each from Jeddah and Riyadh, from the peak of summer.
He said the airline’s huge investment on aircraft and IT infrastructure had yielded fruits in terms of increase in number of passengers and record rise in revenues in 2012.