Saudia’s joining of SkyTeam will help the national carrier achieve the status of a five-star airline by improving its various services to win customer satisfaction, said Mr. Abdulmohsen Jonaid, VP Passenger Sales. He also spoke about the possibility using SkyTeam products to support Haj and Umrah operations.
Speaking on the sidelines of a SkyTeam awareness program in Jeddah, Jonaid said the event on the first anniversary of Saudia joining SkyTeam, was organized to make sure the airline’s optimum readiness to fulfill the conditions of the global alliance and market its products on a large scale.
“It was the sales staff who came up with this idea to reap maximum benefits from SkyTeam,” said Mr. Jonaid, adding that senior SkyTeam officials presented various products and answered questions of staff members. “We wanted to create awareness about SkyTeam in the minds and hearts of our sales people.”
The vice president emphasized the importance of SkyTeam, saying it would enhance the international reputation of Saudi Arabia as well as the national carrier. “SkyTeam is now the issue of a nation. The membership is a recognition for Saudi Arabia as a civilized nation that can live up to the alliance’s expectations. It is also a recognition for Saudia being a world-class airline.”
Mr. Jonaid referred to the various measures taken by Saudia to join the alliance including renovation of the IT infrastructure, training of manpower and modernization of domestic and international fleets. “We have made immense progress in different areas,” he said, adding that joining the SkyTeam was the most important decision taken by the airline to strengthen its global position.
SkyTeam products are multicultural and multinational. “Our strategy is to properly understand and promote these products, making sure it is available online, the staff at call centers can sell them and the staff at sales and ticketing offices are aware of them.”
Speaking about SkyTeam’s global meeting product, the VP said it could be utilized for Haj operation, the Janadriyah Heritage and Culture Festival in Riyadh and international economic forums held in Jeddah, Riyadh and Jazan. “If we talk to other member airlines on participating in the Haj operation, it will really facilitate transportation of pilgrims during this peak season. It will also make the other world understand Islam and remove their misunderstandings about our religion. People can see the benefits of Haj as mentioned by Allah in the Holy Qur’an,” the VP said. “We should have a total plan for how to make use of this SkyTeam product for Haj.”
At present many regional and international airlines are involved in the Haj operation. “I believe SkyTeam can play a big role in this operation. It will add value to Saudia and other alliance members. The demand of passengers during the Haj season is beyond what Saudia can handle alone,” he said. Ramadan Umrah is another possibility, he pointed out.
During the conference at Jeddah Hilton Hotel, there were presentations on SkyTeam priorities, Round the World booking engine and global meeting self booking tool. The meeting urged sales personnel to make use of Alfursan program to create thousands of elite customers. SkyTeam is an opportunity to be made use of by Saudia in this competitive environment, one delegate said. It adds value for the customers as well as the member airlines by doing business together, another added.

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