Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker poses for a photograph in the business class cabin of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner after it arrived on it's inaugural flight to Heathrow Airport, west London earlier this month. Qatar Airways is the first airline to operate scheduled Dreamliner flights to and from the UK. – Reuters Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH – Qatar Airways and Gulf Air have been awarded licenses to operate domestic and international flights in Saudi Arabia, the first foreign airlines to win such a license in the Kingdom. The two airlines were among 14 who applied for the license. Until now only the national carrier Saudi Airlines and budget airline National Air Services (NAS) have serviced a domestic market of around 27 million people. “I am pleased with the announcement,” said Yasin Alireza, a Jeddah-based businessman. “Qatar Airways has an exceptional reputation. I am confident the airline will maintain its standard in the Saudi domestic market as well,” he said. “Now we will get better services at competitive rates,” said Mohsin Al-Mahdali, a frequent flier. The two winning companies will begin completion of final procedures for obtaining licenses. This will take three to six months, according to their operational readiness. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said that it analyzed and evaluated the offers in three stages with the help of an American company. Out of 14 bidders, seven were shortlisted. Then in October, only six companies were asked to present final detailed offers. Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over $50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 Family of aircraft. In addition to winning Skytrax's prestigious Airline of the Year 2011 and 2012, Qatar Airways was named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport was named Best Premium Service Airport for the second consecutive year in 2012. Qatar Airways recently celebrated yet another milestone with the launch of long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner services from Doha to London Heathrow. With the inaugural flight on Dec. 13, Qatar Airways became the first airline to offer regular scheduled flights with the next generation aircraft to and from the UK. Fully owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain through Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, Gulf Air is a major international airline serving over 40 destinations worldwide.
