The Saudi Arabian Airlines on Saturday announced that it would soon start a new air route connecting Abha regional airport directly to Cairo airport and back. According to Khaled Al-Mulhem, Director General of the airlines, it would enable tourists in Asir region and the neighboring areas to easily travel to Egypt, and to receive travelers from there. “The new air line will be operated starting from June 17,” Al- Mulhem said. Saudia has offered promotional fares for the new route starting from SR1,378 (excluding taxes) for a round trip. “There will be flights from Abha to Cairo every Wednesday at 2 P.M. and will arrive at the Egyptian capital at 4.30 P.M., while the return flight from Cairo will be on the same day at 9:30 P.M., directly to Abha airport” Al-Mulhem added. Abha-Cairo new route is said to be the beginning of the operation of flights to other international destinations. “This is going to be the launch of international flights from Abha. The start of the new route operation was meant to begin with the holiday season in which many Saudi and Egyptian tourists are expected to travel between these two cities,”Al-Mulhem said. “When needed, more flights to other global destinations from Abha airport will be considered,” he added. The Saudi Arabian Airlines has transported some 1,311,079 passengers from and to Abha airport during 2008. The airport recorded the highest operational rates in its history with 13,352 flights, some 77 more than in the preceding year.
