RIYADH – The Council of Ministers Monday entrusted the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to prepare a reference guide for fixing air ticket fares so as to replace the current pricing system. The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, also formed a committee to revise the prices of fuel in Saudi airports after comparing them with prices at other airports in the region. The Cabinet took the decision after reviewing the report of a joint committee, represented by the Ministry of Finance and GACA, regarding the comprehensive strategic plan for spurring the Kingdom's aviation industry. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the Cabinet session, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja said the new guide for ticket fares shall be fixed in line with the mechanism outlined in the joint report, and that it shall be approved forthwith by GACA's board of directors. The Cabinet instructed GACA to further broaden its ongoing drive in ensuring participation of local and foreign private investors in project implementation and the operation of airports and their related facilities. The session also approved a number of mechanisms, including those for developing career and financial systems at GACA as well as the infrastructure of airports, and air navigation systems, besides financing airport funds in order to bolster projects at low-income generating airports. “Economy-class ticket prices on domestic flights will also be reviewed, with carriers able to increase prices gradually as the date of travel approaches, in accordance with guidelines set by GACA,” Reuters news agency quoted the body as saying in an emailed statement. At the outset of the Cabinet session, the Crown Prince thanked Allah Almighty for the good health and recovery of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who was discharged from hospital last week. The Crown Prince conveyed the King's thanks to the people of Saudi Arabia for their noble feelings toward him. The King also thanked leaders of Arab, Muslim and sisterly countries for inquiring about his condition and wishing him good health. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet welcomed the outcome of the fourth ministerial meeting of the “Friends of the Syrian People” held recently in Marrakech. Reiterating the Kingdom's position on the Syrian crisis, the Cabinet hoped that the Syrian National Coalition, in its capacity as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people, would be able to come up with a comprehensive and clear outlook encompassing all the sections of the Syrian people and enabling them to achieve their aspirations to safeguard the country's unity, integrity, sovereignty and freedom. – SG
