14/12/2010
Saudi Airlines signs code-share agreement with Air France-KLM
Khaled Al-Molhem, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, shakes hands with Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France-KLM, after signing a cooperation agreement in Jeddah on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabian Airlines signed a code-share agreement with Air France-KLM during a function here on Sunday. The agreement allows the two airlines to make free sales of seats to their passengers and provide good connections to their destinations.
Saudia and Air France will also make joint reservations and sales for their flights (seven each) between Jeddah and Paris as well as Riyadh and Paris, an official statement said. They will operate advanced Airbus 330 and A320 aircraft for the flights.
Khaled Al-Molhem, director general of Saudi Airlines, said the accord with Air France-KLM came as a result of the national carrier’s efforts to reach strategic alliances with international airlines, adding that such partnerships would benefit passengers.
He highlighted Saudia’s endeavors to modernize its technical infrastructure and fleet and upgrade its operational, marketing and financial systems to improve client services and meet growing challenges in the air transport industry.
Al-Molhem said the agreement would allow Saudia to move from Terminal No. 1 to Terminal No. 2 at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. Air France has already moved from the Foreign Airlines Terminal to the Saudia Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
“The agreement will facilitate travel of passengers, including businessmen, executives and students, between Saudi Arabia, France and other countries,” he said.
Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France-KLM, expressed his satisfaction over the agreement. “It’s the result of mutual understanding between the two sides.”
