The Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) decision to fine passengers who do not use their booked seats as of Feb. 1 of this year has not yet been put into effect in the face of widespread opposition from customers. Saudia announced in a circular to travel and tourism agencies that passengers who failed to use booked seats would be subject to fines. The move, which was approved to make better use of seating capacity on flights, has met with considerable opposition from the public and some travel and tourism agencies who say that Saudia should rather set up a system for confirming bookings via agencies or customers by telephone, following the example of other airlines. Customers add that Saudia should first improve its services, notably its punctuality of departing flights. The fines were to be brought into effect gradually for specific flights, by which tickets for unused bookings would only be valid for the same route as a means of ensuring that the customer could not use the ticket unless the fine – which could amount to 25 percent of the original ticket cost – is paid first.
