Royal Jet introduces new price structure
RIYADH: Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet has introduced a new price structure for passengers traveling from GCC countries. “Whilst the calculations of previous prices were based on where the aircraft originated from, future prices would be priced from where the guests commence their flight,” said John Morgan, Royal Jet’s new vice president, commercial. “In other words, if clients are traveling from Jeddah to Beirut, they would only be charged for that part of the journey, and not for the Abu Dhabi to Jeddah leg ... We have decided to level the playing field so that people throughout the GCC can take advantage of our leading product.”
Sama Airlines launches new routes
RIYADH: Sama Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s new budget airline, has announced the launch of two new international routes between Riyadh-Asiut and Dammam-Beirut, starting from Sept. 1. Sama has thus expanded its network to cover 10 international cities with 23 routes departing from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. Sama offers new attractive options to Eastern Province citizens to travel to Lebanon. Sama claims to be the only airline flying directly from Saudi Arabia to Asiut. Its routes — firstly from Jeddah and now from Riyadh — are aimed at expatriates in the Kingdom. Flights to Beirut leave Dammam twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, and those to Asiut leave Riyadh three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Air India appoints new regional manager
JEDDAH: Deepak Anand has taken charge as Air India’s regional manager for Saudi Arabia. Anand, who is based in Jeddah, brings with him a rich experience of over 31 years with India’s national carrier, having served in several senior management positions both in India as well as abroad. Anand is a chartered member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK, and is also an affiliated professional of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK. Prior to being posted to Dammam in 2006 as head of the Eastern Province, Anand headed the traffic services division.
Interlink Airlines starts Jeddah flights
JEDDAH: South Africa’s Interlink Airlines has begun scheduled weekly flights between Jeddah and Johannesburg via Bujumbura in Burundi, which is currently just a transit point. The flight leaves Johannesburg on Fridays and returns on Saturdays. “At the moment, there will be one flight a week in both directions, but we are applying for a second frequency,” said Murad Ismail, the airline’s CEO. “South African Airways is the co-chair holder of the traffic rights. Interlink Airlines has operating rights, so we will be applying for traffic rights to complete our requirement of two flights a week”.
RAM has Amadeus as distribution partner
JEDDAH: Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco’s national carrier, has signed a 10-year distribution agreement with Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry. RAM joins 12 other regional carriers from the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), which selected Amadeus as an exclusive distribution partner in their home markets for 10 years starting Jan. 1, 2009. These 13 airlines account for 68 percent of reservations made by travel agents in the region. “We are confident Amadeus can provide us with the best-in-class tools,” M.A. Zoutien, RAM’s assistant managing director, said.
