RIYADH, 1 September 2007 — Sama announced six more destinations to its existing network and addition of two more new aircraft to its existing fleet amidst growing competition in the civil aviation sector.
“The additional aircraft will support new routes from Dammam to Hail, as well as from Hail to the following destinations: Arar, Tabuk, Rafha, Al Gurayyat and Al Jouf,” Andrew Cowen, chief executive officer of Sama, said in statement issued yesterday. Cowen added that these are Sama’s first new destinations in the northern provinces and are part of Sama’s plan to offer low fares across the Kingdom. These new destinations are open for booking now with flights beginning Oct. 28.
He said the fifth aircraft to enter its fleet would be put into service during the coming week. In addition, a sixth aircraft will be arriving next month with further aircraft to be announced later in the year once negotiations conclude.
“This growth marks further progress in Sama’s strategic plan to grow its fleet to 35 aircraft by 2010,” said the statement.
Cowen revealed that the steady increase in the number of aircraft would enable Sama to introduce new destinations as well as to increase the frequency of flights between key cities. The larger fleet will also support enhanced levels of operational punctuality. Sama will use aircraft to offer additional flights between Dammam and Jeddah as well as Riyadh to Jeddah during the holy month of Ramadan and the Haj season. “This is in order to meet the massive demand on this route,” he said.
Sama is currently operating 30 daily flights between 6 main cities including Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abha, Gizan and Madinah.