Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — Two air carriers that have won licenses from the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) will not be able to operate by the end of this year, informed sources told Al-Watan Arabic daily. Qatar Airways and Gulf Air may be forced to delay their domestic operations after a committee comprising leading officials from GACA and Saudi Aramco failed to reach a resolution on what fuel prices to charge the two airlines, the sources claimed. It is understood GACA favors a reduction in fuel prices. GACA spokesman Khaled Al-Khaibari and Ahmad Al-Anzour, public relations manager for Gulf Air, declined to comment. The sources said the committee has not been able to issue a final decision on fuel prices till now. Lower fuel prices are a basic requirement allowing the airlines to fully benefit from the licenses, according to GACA. The sources hinted that current fuel prices might hinder domestic operations of the two Gulf carriers. GACA is demanding Saudi Aramco to provide reduced prices the way it does for Saudi Arabian Airlines. GACA held talks with Saudi Aramco to reduce fuel prices for foreign companies that use Saudi airports in order to create a competitive environment. Qatar Airways and Gulf Air and their partners recently won licenses to operate domestic service in Saudi Arabia.
