SaudiGulf to begin domestic flights in September

Arab News
Airplane of the Saudi Gulf, a newly launched airline, is seen on display on the first day of the Bahrain Airshow 2016 in Sakhir, in this January 21, 2016 photo. (REUTERS)

RIYADH: The SaudiGulf (Saudia Khalijiyah) airline will begin its domestic flights in the Kingdom this coming September, and is expecting to launch international flights to Dubai by the end of the year.
Sources reveal the company is preparing on Wednesday to receive its airline operating license in the presence of Minister of Transportation Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, noting that the company owns four airplanes.
This comes after the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the company will receive its national airlines license shortly to begin operating its domestic flights out of King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
The granting of the license comes after the company completed and met all safety and flight requirements necessary to receive the AOC license as required by civil aviation regulations in the Kingdom and as per the International Organization for Civil Aviation.
The license will be granted in an official ceremony on June 22, 2016, in the presence of the Minister of Transport and the director of GACA.
Requirements include ensuring the presence of an air traffic control center for the airlines, a team of pilots and trainers with high skills, an advanced reservation and flight scheduling system for pilots and flight operators, as well as ensuring a team of skilled pilots to deal with any emergency situations.
GACA has offered a number of benefits for the entry of companies to the airline sector, and at the same time has also put in place conditions and requirements to ensure their sustainability and the safety of all passengers.