Saudia seeks doubling Manila-SA flights

Saudia Airlines is planning to double its current daily service from Manila to Saudi Arabia starting next year, citing the growing importance of the Philippines in terms of trade and tourism.

Saudia CEO Abdul Aziz Al-Hazami said the increase was planned as the airline intended to use its newer Boeing 777-300ERs for its Manila flights. At present, Saudia uses Boeing 747-400 planes for the service.

Saudia company officials were in Manila yesterday to inaugurate the opening of the airline’s new office in the Zuellig Building in Makati City.

The carrier noted the office was opened to meet the growing demand in the Southeast Asian market.

Manila is considered one of the airline’s most important markets, it said in a statement.

Saudia is one of the first Middle Eastern airlines to provide direct flights between Manila and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airline began operating flights in 1982 with two flights per week carrying 43,388 passengers. Since then, that number has risen to 403,254 in 2013, Saudia said in a statement.

It added that for January to September this year, the airline has flown more than 314,532 passengers.