RIYADH: Several members of the Shoura Council have criticized Saudi Airlines for failing to provide non-stop flights between all the country’s provinces, a local publication reported on Thursday.
This took place during a Shoura meeting on Wednesday, with many also saying that it has failed to live up to its mantra of the country’s national carrier, the report stated.
Shoura member Khader Al-Qurashi was the most outspoken. “We have always praised Saudia as being the national carrier but it has now abandoned services in the regions and left this up to low-cost airlines.”
He said the situation was particularly difficult for people seeking hospitalization. Often they cannot travel directly to another province, but have to take two flights to reach their destination. “How can a national carrier deny citizens such services for economic gain?“
Then 76 members of the Shoura voted to recommend that Saudia reinstitute local flights. The recommendation was almost not passed when one member’s voting system malfunctioned. As the 76th member, this was the majority needed to pass the resolution.
This took place during a Shoura meeting on Wednesday, with many also saying that it has failed to live up to its mantra of the country’s national carrier, the report stated.
Shoura member Khader Al-Qurashi was the most outspoken. “We have always praised Saudia as being the national carrier but it has now abandoned services in the regions and left this up to low-cost airlines.”
He said the situation was particularly difficult for people seeking hospitalization. Often they cannot travel directly to another province, but have to take two flights to reach their destination. “How can a national carrier deny citizens such services for economic gain?“
Then 76 members of the Shoura voted to recommend that Saudia reinstitute local flights. The recommendation was almost not passed when one member’s voting system malfunctioned. As the 76th member, this was the majority needed to pass the resolution.
