JEDDAH, 20 December — The expansion of King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah will be financed by the private sector, according to Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah, assistant minister of defense and aviation.
The prince disclosed this in a statement following a recent meeting of the board of directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Prince Fahd said no Saudi pilot had been detained by the investigating authorities in the United States following the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and the training of Saudi aeronautical engineers and pilots was continuing in that country according to plans.
He said the government, however, has devised a plan to establish a center for training pilots in the Kingdom.
Commenting on the current crisis faced by the airline industry worldwide, the prince acknowledged that Saudia had also been hit, particularly following the Sept. 11 events, but the airline has adopted a number of measures to minimize the damage.
While the number of passengers to foreign destinations has fallen, the domestic traffic has increased considerably, the minister said.
The meeting also discussed issues related to a decision to privatize the airline. Answering another question, the prince said improved security arrangements have been made aboard all Saudia aircraft.
Board members also discussed plans to cope with the huge number of pilgrims coming for Haj this season. Director General Dr. Khaled ibn Bakr, briefed the meeting on the airline’s achievements in the year 2001.
