Gulf Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines started their joint operations with the inaugural flight out of Dammam to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu. The code sharing agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding on marketing co-operation between the two airlines signed in Jeddah last month in terms of which they will operate code share services between Dammam and Kathmandu, Dammam and Abu Dhabi, and between Riyadh and Muscat.
“This flight marks a very significant step for us and Gulf Air is honoured to be selected as the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) carrier to be allowed to operate direct international flights out of an airport in Saudi Arabia,” said Gulf Air Chief James Hogan.
“We hope that this agreement will provide the basis for a long positive association, during which we can extend our co-operation to other commercial operations where bilateral agreements permit.”
The twice-weekly flights out of Dammam through Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu, which commenced from 15 July, are to be operated by B767 using a single flight number under GF/SV call sign.
Gulf Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines will also be able to sell through each of other reservation systems direct services in terms of the code share arrangement between Muscat and Riyadh and between Dammam and Abu Dhabi International Airports.
This arrangement will also allow Saudi and Gulf Air customers direct access to those two Gulf cities and up grade flight displays at both reservation systems and passengers will be allowed to check all the way through along with baggage without changing the aircraft or breaking the journey to Kathmandu. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
