Saudia probes erring employees

Saudi Arabian Airlines has launched an investigation into alleged fraudulent practices by some employees who are responsible for reserving seats and then leaving them vacant to accommodate other passengers without any prior reservations.
Sources in the airline said Saudia chief Khaled Al-Molhem has directed formation of a fact-finding committee on the seating capacity issue of a number of local and international flights.
“It was found that a number of seats were left vacant during some local and international flights at the peak of the annual aircraft movement,” said the source.
The committee will hold accountable all those involved in the malpractice. It will apply necessary controls to prevent such practices in the future, the source added.
The safety and licensing sector at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is tasked monitor all local and international flights in Saudi Arabia.
GACA also conducts regular inspection of aircraft repair stations and licensed schools of aviation in the Kingdom to check performance and operation standards according to the local and international regulations to ensure the highest levels of safety.
The agency is the regulatory body of all activities of civil aviation and air transportation industry in the Kingdom.