JEDDAH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said it met with seven foreign airlines shortlisted from a total of 14 carriers, briefing them on the procedure to finalize the bidding process this month.
“Steps are being taken to brief the remaining bidders and advise them on submitting their completed files for final processing,” said GACA spokesman Khaled Al-Khaibary.
Al-Khaibary confirmed that licensing will not be awarded this month as previously reported, but should be ready by February next year.
“Licensed carriers will have four to six months to set up their operations and abide by GACA qualifications and technical procedures. We will then give them 16 days to start services on domestic and international flights, so this is expected by April,” Al-Khaibary said.
The aim in opening Saudi skies to foreign carriers mainly from the Gulf Cooperation Council is to meet the rising demand for domestic travel. Earlier this month, GACA announced that it is in talks with Saudi Aramco and other local bodies to cut the price of jet fuel sold to foreign airlines using the country’s airports. This could benefit new foreign airlines entering the Saudi market.
GACA to finalize bidding process
