A New Beginning

Monday, January 10, 2011 was a historic day for Saudi Arabian Airlines when the national carrier signed a landmark agreement with SkyTeam, one of the world's largest alliances in air transport industry. It was signed by Eng. Khaled Al-Molhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, and Leo van Wijk, Chairman of SkyTeam, in addition to top executives of its 13 member airlines. Saudia passengers are the main beneficiaries of the Airline's membership in the global alliance as it offers to them, for the first time, a variety of new services such as access to the vast network of flights being operated by member airlines to more than 890 stations in 169 countries around the world. SkyTeam member airlines currently operate an average of 12,500 flights daily. They also offer luxurious lounges and other facilities for First Class and Business Class passengers in hundreds of international airports as well as distinguished services to transit and frequent travelers. The accord also brings about qualitative development for Saudi Arabian Airlines and value-added services for its passengers traveling to destinations across the globe. Above all, it heralds a new era of cooperation between the various international airline companies to provide a variety of choices and services to passengers, making more flights available to different destinations around the clock and realizing the hopes and aspirations of passengers. Saudi Arabian Airlines qualified to join this global alliance as a result of its comprehensive development and modernization programs, including the development of technical infrastructure, modernization of fleet by purchasing advanced aircraft, qualitative improvement of services and facilities and restructuring of domestic and international flight networks. There was substantial increase in the number of passengers carried by the airline in addition to other strong points that encouraged SkyTeam to accept Saudia as a member in order to make use of its strong points including its strategic location between the East and the West, its important position in G-20 as a leading economy in the region. Saudi Arabia has all the potentials to become a major hub in the region and generate greater air traffic movement, providing a lot of mutual benefits for all SkyTeam airlines, which demonstrate a marvelous model of cooperation, by setting up a huge bloc, which has become a hallmark of today's air transport industry. SV World magazine provides a wide coverage of this historic event that reflects Saudi Arabian's clear vision, strategic plan, correct understanding of developments in the industryand its readiness to confront challenges by making greater development and improving services to reach new heights of progress.
	Abdullah M. Al-Ajhar VP Public Relations