RIYADH, 24 August 2006 — A senior airline official has announced the completion of the merger of Saudi-based operations of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Lufthansa German Airlines, which will offer uniform price for tickets and choice of flights besides destination options to thousands of passengers flying on these two airlines. Rolf Koller, general manager for both airlines in the Kingdom, made this announcement here yesterday.
“Passengers traveling on either airline from Saudi Arabia can benefit from a single price structure which will help travelers to journey one way on SWISS and return on Lufthansa or vice versa,” said Koller. Additionally, passengers can enjoy a choice of six flights a week, between both Riyadh and Jeddah. SWISS, he said, would introduce its fourth frequency on Dec. 2, which would ensure that there will be a flight every day in a week.
He said that the two airlines together operated 12 flights a week from the Kingdom to Frankfurt and Zurich. “And now with the merger, it is part of our commitment to the Kingdom to ensure that through SWISS’ and Lufthansa’s combined network we provide choice for each day of the week,” said SWISS-Lufthansa chief, adding that the two airlines had completed integration procedures in the Kingdom.
Referring to the merger, he said that the sales and marketing functions of the two airlines had been merged fully and a centralized office had been set up to operate. Koller further said: “With our new one-company focus, sales and marketing operations and airport services will function from our combined offices in both Riyadh and Jeddah.” The 50-men strong team in the Kingdom will be able to optimize services for both airlines more conveniently, he said.
The Riyadh office will be based in the Olaya district, while the Jeddah office has moved to the Al-Sharafeyah district of the city. Koller will sit in the airlines country office based in Riyadh, while Abdulaziz Mangera, the regional manager for the Western Province, will also be responsible for the port city of Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. The move to operate jointly following the merger will provide added benefits and competence to the two airlines, said Koller.
About benefits to customers, he said: “The partnership between SWISS and Lufthansa is a natural one, ideally complementing two high quality carriers, an amalgamation of professionalism and a high performance pairing that offers our customers optimum flexibility and reliability for their air travel needs. It reflects the consolidation processes in the present aviation industry.”
He said that the SWISS network was not limited to travel to Switzerland; rather it offered a comprehensive network of 71 destinations in 42 countries, through its summer timetable.
“In addition, the partnership with Lufthansa affords SWISS travelers the option of additional destinations across Lufthansa’s 181-strong destination network, covering 76 countries” said General Manager Koller.
He said that a single airfare, combined check-in facilities, joint frequent flyer program; through Miles & More, and optimum hub connections via Zurich, Frankfurt and Munich, made both airlines an indomitable force for visitors to Europe.
SWISS has also joined Star Alliance, the world’s largest and most comprehensive airline grouping. Star Alliance extends to 842 destinations in 122 countries, offering reciprocal access for SWISS Miles & More members across 660 lounges, as well as accrual and redemption of frequent flyer points. This is in addition to many other programs and incentives for customers on which the two airlines are now jointly working.
