JEDDAH, 26 May 2004 — National carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines may hike fares on international flights to meet the growing operation cost as a result of high energy prices on the international market.
“We are studying the matter,” said Dr. Khaled Ben-Bakr, the airline’s director general.
He said most airlines had imposed special taxes to cover operation costs after they had suffered heavy losses due to skyrocketing oil prices. “But Saudia has not yet increased its fares to confront high energy prices,” he said.
There has been no fuel price increase in the Saudi market.
Ben-Bakr was talking to reporters after the overhaul of V2500 engines powering Saudia’s MD90 aircraft. “This facility will help Saudia save SR87 million every year,” the director general said.
Meanwhile, Ben-Bakr approved Saudia’s flight schedule for this summer season (June 9 to Sept. 10) during which the airline expects to carry more than 5.35 million passengers on 30,100 domestic and international flights.
He said Saudia would operate a large number of domestic flights during the season to transport more than three million passengers.
