Saudia welcomes new Boeing with fanfare

RED carpet, smiling faces, excited employees, and a curious media, were not part of film festival scene, but were evident in the welcoming arrival of Boeing B777-3000ER, which will be part of the new Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) fleet.

Saudia Director General Saleh Bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi media and some of the airlines employees were the passengers of the new aircraft that flew in from Seattle on Nov. 9, and landed in Riyadh the next day.

Minister of Transport and President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Sulaiman Al-Hamdan with Saudia Director General Saleh Bin Nasser Al-Jasser at the press conference. — Courtesy photo

Once the airplane arrived in the Riyadh private aviation area on Nov.10, Minister of Transport and President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Sulaiman Al-Hamdan celebrated with Al-Jasser, and other officials, the arrival of the new airplane to the fleet.

During the press conference held soon after the plane had arrived, Al-Hamdan said, “I am pleased to see today the new product of the Saudi Arabian Airlines that includes special suites in the first class of the new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

“This step confirms the interest and care of the national aviation to develop its products, which has become an important element within the competitive advantages between airlines.”

Al-Hamdan added, during his speech, that it is worthwhile to note that aligning with the Kingdom Vision 2030 the civil aviation and air transport industry is an important element that is sure to play a vital role in developing the national economy.

He also stressed on the efforts that are being made for the development of the air transport system in the Kingdom in order for it to play its role more effectively in the overall development programs, which is part of achieving the National Transformation Program of 2020.

The minister added that the Saudi Arabian Airlines is following effective steps to implement its development program to achieve transformation and to attain its strategic objectives. The airlines recently implemented several changes including, developing the aircraft fleet and developing the airlines products and improving its services.

“There are other effective steps that are being implemented for the development of the air transport industry in the Kingdom. One of the steps that was recently implemented and was successful was the transference to Terminal 5 in King Khaled Airport in Riyadh and smooth operations of the flights, while also launching Nesma and Gulf Saudia airlines flights. Other efforts have also been made to achieve the new developing goals that would support the national economy,” he said.

During the conference Al-Jasser explained that he is pleased with the launching of the new product that includes suites in first class and he illustrated that having another 777-300 ER to the airlines fleet is part of the airlines goals. By implementing the goals of the program, the airlines will increase the achievements of 70 years, especially in the coming 7 years through many initiatives.

Al-Jasser added several initiatives have been implemented including, the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Education to give thousands of Saudis scholarships to study aviation and aviation engineering.

“We also signed another agreement for having around 113 aircrafts that are newly produced to be added to the airlines fleet and we have started receiving some of these starting from August,” Al-Jasser added.

During the media conference it was explained that the new plane has 12 distinguished compartments for the first class passengers each with an electronic seat which can easily be adjusted for complete relaxation and can also be made into a comfortable bed.

There is an electronic keyboard that will enable the passenger to control the seat, which is supplied with a flexible lighting system. There is also space to store their personal belongings.

Each wing will also have sliding doors to provide the passenger with more space and a 24-inch HD plasma that will enable him/her to enjoy the entertainment programs throughout the flight in addition to a large dining table for two people to be served with food.

Saudia has concluded an agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 such aircraft four of which will be received later this year and five in 2017.