JEDDAH, 14 March 2007 — The successful partnership between Lufthansa German Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines (Swiss), which now enters its second year, have offered a host of benefits to passengers in the Kingdom, senior executives of the airlines told a press conference at the Jeddah Hilton yesterday.
Passenger benefits include more flight options to choose from, outbound via Frankfurt and inbound via Zurich or vice-versa, joint ground services in Riyadh and Jeddah, better connections to more destinations worldwide, a shared frequent flier program and enhanced international lounge access.
“Passengers traveling on either airline from the Kingdom have also been able to benefit from a harmonized price structure, which allows travelers to journey one way on Swiss and return on Lufthansa or vice-versa,” Joachim Steinbach, Dubai-based vice president, sales and services, Southeast Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Pakistan, said.
Thomas Preinl, Lufthansa’s head of corporate communications, southeast Europe, Africa, Middle East and Pakistan; and Felix Rodel, Swiss director, head of sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Iran, accompanied Steinbach.
Together, Lufthansa and Swiss have been able to wholly service Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Bahrain, with daily flights to more than 181 destinations worldwide via Zurich, Frankfurt and Munich.
Both carriers took the alliance a step further by merging both sales and marketing functions in the Kingdom, with a move to a centralized office in Riyadh and Jeddah, improving operations considerably, Steinbach said. “We are very pleased with the success of the integration in the Kingdom. Between offering a single airfare policy to joint check-in facilities, the opportunities for our discerning frequent travelers are endless.”
To sustain the joint operational effort in the Kingdom, Abdul Aziz Mangera remains manager for both airlines for the Western Province, while Rolf Koller continues his post as general manager for both airlines in the Kingdom.
From April 1, passengers traveling with the Lufthansa Private Jet can book a limousine transfer to and from the airport at no extra charge. On request, passengers will be picked up at home and driven direct to their Private Jet flight at the airport. Saudi passengers arriving in Frankfurt from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam will be greeted with a limousine waiting alongside the plane.