RIYADH, 18 May 2004 — Saudi Arabian Airlines suspended all direct flights between King Khaled International Airport and Bisha Airport a week ago, causing knock-on cancellations elsewhere. The airline said it stopped the flights because Bisha Airport is only equipped for Boeing 737s, which Saudia is phasing out. The construction of a new runway for larger planes was still under study, it said. Passengers had to reroute through Abha or Jeddah, where some Bisha-bound flights were also canceled “due to unexpected demand.”