Saudia fare hike angers customers

Travelers have expressed anger at the decision of Saudi Arabian Airlines to increase ticket fare.
Saudis started a hashtag on Twitter to discuss the issue, expressing frustration over the recent announcement.
“Ticket prices on Saudia have not changed over the last 15 years. We will only charge a 3 percent increase on the original fare for passengers who book their tickets within 10 days of their departure,” said Abdullah Al-Ajhar, executive vice president of public relations at Saudi Arabian Airlines.
“We have specified a 10-day period for fare hikes in order to give passengers an opportunity to book their tickets at the original prices set by the government,” he said.
Yet many Saudi Twitter users have complained that prices are already high and are demanding an explanation from the authorities.
“The two operating airlines in the Kingdom are already expensive and we can barely afford these fares. Why would they increase their prices without improving services in return?” said Mohammed Siraj, a Twitter user.
“If Saudia were offering better entertainment, better catering or even improved services on board their flights, the price hikes would at least be justified,” he said.
Travel agencies in the Kingdom say that this decision will not have a negative impact on business.
“Saudia is the national carrier and people have no other choice but to book their flights through this airline, especially for traveling internally. Price hikes will have no impact on us because there are only two airlines for people to choose from for traveling within the Kingdom,” said Jalal Abduljaleel, a travel agent at a local travel agency.
“This, in fact, may harm the airline itself when passengers turn to the competitor for better prices,” he added.