Kingdom’s 1st Private Airline Gets License


JEDDAH, 6 December 2006 — The board of directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which was chaired by Crown Prince Sultan, yesterday licensed National Air Services (NAS) as a private airline based in Riyadh to operate domestic flights in the Kingdom, acccording to Abdullah Ruhaimy, president of GACA. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said the board would license the second airline, which would be based in Dammam, after 45 days.

Prince Sultan announced in April that the government would license two private airline companies shortly to operate domestic flights and cargo services alongside state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Sultan said the new private carriers would be allowed to provide services such as transportation of passengers, goods and posts between the Kingdom’s airports.

“The move comes in line with the civil aviation authority’s efforts to promote air transport services in the Kingdom by creating competition among airline companies,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince as saying.

Ruhaimy also said the new desalination plant at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah and another project to develop the airport’s Haj Terminal would be implemented on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) system.

“The Supreme Economic Council has already approved implementation of these projects with the support of the private sector,” he said, adding that GACA would adopt the same strategy on implementing most of its projects.

Yep, looks like Easyjet is coming to Saudi. NAS is negotiating with Easyjet to franchise the brand name.

http://www.easyjet.com/en/investor/evaluation_of_franchise_opportunity.html

How silly does Sama look right now. They've been acting all the while like they've won a licence, but they can still get the Dammam licence so not all is lost.

Well, I think they'll get the licence easily. Remember it's Khalid Al-Faisal who owns it.

No, they have a fight in their hands. at-Tayyar are no pushovers and neither are Burj airlines. Burj airlines is owned by Kingdom holdings (al-waleed bin Talal).

Bidding companies:

- شركة الوشكان المحدودة (خطوط سما الجوية).

2- الشركة الوطنية للخدمات الجوية (ناس).

3- مجموعة الطيار للسفر (خطوط الطيار الجوية).

4- شركة بتروجال (خطوط الوطن الجوية).

5- المملكة القابضة (خطوط برج الجوية).

6- شركة أخوان التجارية السعودية.

مسخره سما الخيال و غيرها و غيرها .... كلها لأمراء ويا مواطن طز فيك نازلين أكلين طالعين أكلين

برايفت لحجازي : ماشاء الله عليك عيني عليك باردة حبيت أسجل أعجابي بمدى أطلاعك

Lol Mr Grosso, why so cynical? I'm sure the fact that NAS is "masnoud" by Khalid bin Sultan didn't effect the decision ;) :D

Mr Grosso: Sometimes boredom + internet can be useful. Anything to avoid actually working!

Yep, looks like Easyjet is coming to Saudi. NAS is negotiating with Easyjet to franchise the brand name.

http://www.easyjet.com/en/investor/evaluation_of_franchise_opportunity.html

How silly does Sama look right now. They've been acting all the while like they've won a licence, but they can still get the Dammam licence so not all is lost.


thanks hijazi

i am student in the UK and i know easyjet very well

easyjet very cheap airline with very bas service and they have very bad fleets ( old airbus )

thanks hijazi

i am student in the UK and i know easyjet very well

easyjet very cheap airline with very bas service and they have very bad fleets ( old airbus )
easy jet dont use airbus they have boeing 737

vue more,

I know there is a stigma to LCCs, but Easyjet is actually a very good airline. If NAS can learn from them it would be great. They operate brand new planes (their fleet is on average 2.5 years old) which are maintained immaculately. They have a flawless safety record. Sure, they are no frills, but that doesn't mean that the service is bad. When I flew them the staff were good and friendly and the seats comfortable. It doesn't matter that they don't serve a meal, it's only a short flight.

easy jet dont use airbus they have boeing 737
They started with 737s, but since 2004 are moving to an all Airbus fleet. Already the majority of their fleet is A319.

easy jet dont use airbus they have boeing 737

Easy jet also uses Airbus A319's, and A320's. Check out the airbus website and it will show you the order/delieveries backlog.

@HiJazzey:
I think the airline could be really useful in Saudi Arabia--most domestic destinations are served with very few routes--and some cities can prove very viable espeically with considering the influx of tourists that is expected in the near future. I hope they use newer planes--and not used up 733's or older generation 737's.

As NAS is already an operator of the A320 series, I think they'll prefer to get A320 series planes for their LCC. But I think they will have to operating lease for the first few years until they have the cash flow to get their own planes (direct ownership or finance lease). The issue is what can the lessors place for them, and at what rate. A32Xs and 737NGs are both difficult to get hold of, and demand very high leasing charges. It might be more efficient to get 733s.

But we'll see.

As NAS is already an operator of the A320 series, I think they'll prefer to get A320 series planes for their LCC. But I think they will have to operating lease for the first few years until they have the cash flow to get their own planes (direct ownership or finance lease). The issue is what can the lessors place for them, and at what rate. A32Xs and 737NGs are both difficult to get hold of, and demand very high leasing charges. It might be more efficient to get 733s.

But we'll see.

Aha. BUt HiJazeey there is a golden-striped A320 and a VIP config. A340-600HGW painted already in a golden color scheme which was just rolled off Toulouse. According to sources, it belongs to a Saudi company. Is it by any chance the same company you were talking about?

Those planes are owned by the Saad group, a Khobar based conglomerate. However NAS do operate the planes for them.

Here's the third one,


Sama gets Saudi air licence

Saudi-based Sama has been granted a licence to operate domestic flights in Saudi, Gulf News reported. Sama, which will be based in Dammam, is the second airline to receive certification by the Saudi Arabian Authority of Civil Aviation. The other licence winner, National Air Services, will operate flights from Riyadh.

is this airline owned by a prince or something?

I wonder if they (SAMA and NAS) will take on Saudi women as Cabin Crew? Or are these airlines taking foreign women again.

is this airline owned by a prince or something?

Everything here owned by the prince in full or in part:horse:, may be owned by another person covers Prince Thus

Sama's livery is sick! :banana: :)

http://flysama.com/SAMA/images/en-US/logo.jpg

http://flysama.com/NR/rdonlyres/DC352251-0FF4-46FA-9F8B-E3B4945349A9/0/thankyouEng.jpg

ANd the Prince (someone was curious) :) :

"HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid al Faisal, Chairman
Chairman Investment Enterprises
Chairman Aseer Publishing Establishment (Al-Watan Newspaper)"

yes ive seen this airline the livery is veryy attractive for sure,

what does their fleet consist of now?

Sama's livery is sick! :banana: :)


sick or slick? I kinda like it!

^^ I think both you guys mean the same thing, just different terms.

Sick, sometimes means cool huit.

Saudi Arabia’s NAS orders 20 Raytheon planes

Saudi Arabia's National Air Services has ordered 20 passenger planes from Raytheon Inc worth at least $250 million for a low-cost airline it plans to set up, the US aircraft maker said.

The deal, signed on Tuesday, makes National Air Services the launch customer for the new Hawker 750 light-mid jet.

'With an estimated value in excess of $250 million, the 20 aircraft order is the largest single order on record in the region,' Raytheon said in a statement sent to Reuters on Wednesday.

NAS is expected to take delivery of the first aircraft in the fourth quarter.

The Saudi government gave NAS a licence earlier this month to create a low-cost carrier based in the capital, Riyadh, with an initial fleet of five planes.

NAS said last month it would order aircraft from Airbus, Gulfstream Inc. and Raytheon as part of a $2 billion programme to purchase 75 planes and create a fleet of 100 by 2010

tradearabia.com

I doubt NAS would use the Hawkers for their low cost airline. They are VIP jets! They will probably be used in the fractional ownership programme.

finally private air line sound good for low class :cheers:

bizzybonita its private in name only!

from: http://www.ameinfo.com/110904.html

FIRST FLIGHT!!! YAY!!
Saudi Arabian budget carrier NAS Air is to inaugurate its Riyadh to Jeddah service today, Saturday, February 17. The Airbus A320 will include General Authority for Civil Aviation officials, NAS Air senior management, the media and other selected guests. NAS Air will begin operations on February 25 by flying three times daily between Riyadh and Jeddah; it will launch a Riyadh to Medina on March 31.

Also in earlier news, NAS wanted to place an order of 19 aircraft soon, in the 160-180 market. The Saudi domestic market is booming, especially with the inargural flight of NAS Air. Another budget airline will soon touch the skies of the Kingdom, SAMA.

i hope it cost less than saudi airline!
another quistion i am studint and i have discount 50% in saudi airline, is it ok with sama too?

^ If you book your seat early, then NAS offers a one-way ticket between Riyadh and Jeddah for ONLY 9.00 Riyals! Yes, that's NINE RIYALS!

NAS Air's livery is quite nice too!
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1173336/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1173835/M/

And here is Sama
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1144605/M/

^ If you book your seat early, then NAS offers a one-way ticket between Riyadh and Jeddah for ONLY 9.00 Riyals! Yes, that's NINE RIYALS!

Saudi Guy, with your discount its gonna be 4.5 riyals. LOL!! Come on, invite us 3ad!

thats Impossible it looks like Dream let me do some thing:wallbash:......now you say 9 riyals:crazy2: oh dear finly no more wast money save save:2cents: :2cents: :2cents: ....how long should i reserved my seat?

I swear it was SR. 9 only a week back! The site now mentions SR. 99!!!
I wish I had taken a screenshot! :(

http://www.flynas.com/Promo/englishSR99.jpg

maybe it was Special offer for one week....anyway 100 SR also good price.

It was an introductory offer, it was only available in the first 48 hours after reservations were opened.

i wish if i was know about it i feel sorry i miss it:cry:

now I wish I had booked few hundred seats! :(

^^business Vision :lol: