JEDDAH, 31 August 2004 — Saudi Arabian Airlines plans to offer discounts of up to 60 percent on tickets purchased in advance and during off-seasons, according to Abdul Qader Burhan, general manager for system reservation program and yield management.
He also disclosed plans to introduce 15 subclasses for the existing three classes — First Class, Business Class and Guest Class.
“The airline will soon announce the new classes in order to help passengers on its domestic and international flights get discounts ranging from 20 to 60 percent,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted Burhan as saying.
The discount rates would depend on early booking, advanced purchase of tickets and period of travel, the Saudia official said, adding that the airline planned the new classes to encourage its clients to make advance preparations for their journey.
“Those who make reservations and purchase tickets six moths before their journey will receive greater discounts than those who do the same before one month,” the Saudia official explained.
Passengers traveling during off-seasons will get heavy discounts compared to those traveling in peak seasons, Burhan said.
Referring to the new classes, the official said three subclasses would be introduced under First Class, four under Business Class and eight under Guest Class.
He said the discounted tickets would not affect the airline’s service. “Passengers will enjoy the same service like before,” he pointed out.
During the past eight months, the airline transported more than six million passengers on the domestic sector, registering a 10 percent increase over the same period last year.
Dr. Khaled Ben-Bakr, the airline’s director general, said Saudia was able to increase the number of passengers by adding seats and flights to various destinations in the country, especially to tourist centers.
Last year the airline posted a 40 percent increase in revenue, the largest in its 60-year history.
“This is the first time Saudia is making such a huge revenue in its entire history,” Ben-Bakr said without giving figures.
He said the national carrier made this remarkable achievement while many international airline companies reported huge losses over several years.
“We achieved a record profit by implementing a scientific strategy and marketing plan matching with current situations and developments,” he added.
