Saudi signs Open Skies agreement with US
Originally published on www.businesstravellerme.com 20/04/2011 - Filed under: News »
Saudi Arabia and the United States have signed an Open Skies agreement designed to liberalise bilateral aviation ties.
A US Secretary of State statement said the agreement strengthens existing trade and tourism links and will benefit American and Saudi Arabian businesses and travellers.
"It will expand air services and encourage vigorous price competition by airlines, while safeguarding aviation safety and security," the statement reads.
Currently Saudi Arabian Airlines operates services to New York, Washington DC and Frankfort Kentucky.
Open Skies could benefit the flag carrier by enabling it to tap the growing volumes of passenger traffic between the US, Middle East and India via its home airports - but travel between the two countries remains hampered by visa requirements.
Saudia has close trade links with Boeing which modernised the interiors of 23 B777-200ERs in February.
The airline will join SkyTeam in 2012, making it the first member to join the alliance from the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with a widespread aviation modernisation programme and its new Tabuk regional airport is due to open this week.
For more information, visit saudiairlines.com
Report by Dominic Ellis
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