Sun, Dec 10, 2006
Nation's New Aviation Authority Awards First License
The board of directors of
Saudi Arabia's new General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA),
which was chaired by Crown Prince Sultan, licensed National Air
Services (NAS) as a private airline based in Riyadh last
Wednesday.
With facilities in Jeddah and Riyadh, NAS will operate domestic
flights in the country.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, president of GACA
Abdullah Ruhaimy said the board would license a second
airline, to be based in Dammam, after 45 days.
NAS's CEO and senior management team reiterated the company's
commitment to provide the Saudi travel market with world class
services and announced that the company will adopt the low cost
carrier (LCC) model for its new airline, hence delivering more
choices, value for money and convenience to the kingdom's traveling
community.
The airline expects to begin service in early 2007 with an
initial fleet of five aircraft. Information on the company's
website shows it operates Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker and Airbus
equipment so far. Future plans will grow the fleet to 18 aircraft
by 2010.
NAS plans to serve 22 Saudi cities during the first year of
operation and hopes to expand to 37 domestic routes by the end of
2008.
NAS CEO Taher Agueel said, "We are honored to have been awarded
this licence by the General Authority for Civil Aviation, which
managed the application process with great efficiency, genuine
transparency and the highest level of professionalism. NAS is
committed to providing world-class services to our customers across
the kingdom, and we believe that the LLC model is the right match
for the young and vibrant Saudi Arabia of today."
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