Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is launching a new service scheduling a dozen flights daily between Jeddah and Riyadh.

“From February, a special VIP service called Al Bayraq will operate daily between Riyadh and Jeddah,” Saudia Director General Saleh N. Al-Jasser told a press conference at the SPA station in Jeddah. Present on the occasion was Faisal Kayal, managing director, Saudia Private Aviation (SPA).

Al Bayraq service will operate 12 scheduled flights daily between Riyadh and Jeddah on Airbus A319 aircraft, between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The new Al Bayraq service is expected to be a boon to VIPs and businessmen who frequently fly between the two cities.

It is designed to offer passengers the opportunity to experience a “high quality service” in cooperation with SPA.

Al-Jasser said: “Al Bayraq service is part of the airline’s Strategy 2020; the airline will take special care of its passengers at SPA’s VIP lounges in Riyadh and Jeddah.”

The Saudia director general confirmed that the airline plans to expand its fleet from 119 to 200 aircraft by 2020 and improve services to attract increased passenger numbers under its 2015-2020 plan.

Al-Jasser said Al Bayraq service coincides with Saudia’s 2020 strategic plan that aims to take the airline to greater heights, doubling its fleet and passenger numbers during the next five years.

On his part, Faisal Kayal, managing director, SPA, said: “Al Bayraq service is not only meant to serve VIPs and businessmen who frequently fly between Riyadh and Jeddah, but also is directed toward individual, corporate and government clients, who require either daily blocked seats on annual basis or on ad hoc basis,” he added.