Saudi Arabia’s new airline granted licence to start flying
23 June, 2016 – A new airline is usually to consider off in Saudi Arabia because the kingdom requires a serious step in liberalization of its aviation sector.
SaudiGulf Airways received a licence to operate inner flights during the country. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) accredited the airline’s application for an air operator’s certificate on June 9, which was formally handed over on Wednesday night time, Saudi Push Agency described yesterday.
Situated in Dammam, SaudiGulf will present domestic flights to Riyadh and Jeddah as well as a service to Dubai, in accordance to its web page.
Whilst the airline didn’t say when the flights will commence, sources said operations are predicted to begin in September.
Saudi Arabian Airlines, known as Saudia, as well as spending plan carrier flynas are, at present, the sole nearby carriers serving the 27 million people today residing in the country.
Analysts hailed the shift, saying that Saudi Arabia has sizeable potential.
“The news is refreshing and encouraging to see the improvements the Saudi govt have launched into,” explained Mark Martin, the chief govt of Dubai-based Martin Consulting. “We imagine Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil will reduce towards the level exactly where we may even see winds of a radical liberalisation craze aimed and designed to bring in the world into your region.”
Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest nations in Asia by land mass and has no rail network, therefore the probable for increased air transport is huge, Mr Martin reported.
Al Maha Airways, a unit of Qatar Airways, has also been expecting a certificate to function in Saudi Arabia, having gained an preliminary licence in 2012, once the Saudi regulator started accepting applications for domestic flights.
Qatar Airways was not immediately available for your remark about the hottest improvement.
Competition is likely to heat up, as the mother or father company of Saudia ideas to launch its own funds airline. The low-cost airline, called Flyadeal, might be situated in Jeddah and is also expected to become launched upcoming calendar year.
“Clearly the main focus is on sustainable financial reforms which can be progressive, formidable and radical,” mentioned Mr Martin. “This falls in position incredibly well together with the current Saudia restructuring [and] the launch of SaudiGulf Airways, Al Maha Airways and Flyadeal.”
He reported that Dammam’s locale near Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain could lead on it to emerge to be a seventh hub just after Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Muscat, including to currently intense competitors among the Gulf carriers.
“Dammam being a desired destination was neglected and we’re glad which the Saudi government has finally recognized its strategic benefit,” claimed Mr Martin
Source: thenational.ae
