JEDDAH, 27 December 2006 — Saudi Arabian Airlines carried a record 17.57 million passengers this year, registering an increase of 471,462 passengers compared to the previous year, an official report presented at the airline company’s board meeting said.
These passengers included 720,516 Umrah pilgrims whom the airline transported from its domestic and international stations.
Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, commended the efforts being made by Saudi Arabian Airlines to further improve its services in accordance with the company’s long-term development strategy. Sultan made this comment while presiding over the board meeting at his palace in Jeddah.
“The board meeting approved the airline’s budget for 2007 which showed an increase in revenues and making profits. It also endorsed the financial report of chartered accountants on the airline’s account until Dec. 31, 2005,” the Saudi Press Agency said.
Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudia, earlier gave a presentation of the airline’s 10-year strategy and future plans in order to confront the big competition from other airline companies and its plan to offer new services in the aviation industry.
“We have started using advanced technology for various services such as reservation and ticketing and supply services to passengers within 24 hours after request. We have also opened executive offices at airports to help passengers and tackle their problems,” he explained. He said Saudia has appointed qualified staff to carry out these services.
Al-Mulhim also spoke about the company’s efforts to open offices for issuing tickets and boarding passes in public places, commercial centers, main roads and travel agencies and increase the number of sales and reservation offices in all cities.
“We have also plans to provide information on ticket prices, air routes and reservation through telephone messages. We have also modernized lounges for first class and horizon class passengers in all major airports including King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah and King Khaled Airport in Riyadh.”
Mulhim also briefed the board on the airline’s performance in 2006 and said it carried 17,571,443 passengers this year. He said the number of Umrah pilgrims transported by the airline increased to 720,516 pilgrims with an increase of 48,848 pilgrims compared to 2005 performance.
Speaking about Saudia’s Haj operation for 2006-2007, he said the airline would be carrying 906,744 pilgrims from outside the Kingdom on their arrival and return flights.
Last year, the airline carried 867,828 pilgrims during the Haj season. The presentation also included the airline’s efforts to promote domestic tourism by increasing seating capacities to major tourist destinations in the country.