RIYADH: Riyadh Airports Company (RAC) is celebrating the launch of a new route between the Dutch capital Amsterdam and the Saudi capital Riyadh, which shall be operated by Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM).
The route is KLM’s first operation via King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) Riyadh, and there will be two flights weekly between the 2 cities.
Netherlands Ambassador Janet Alberda mentioned in a press statement: “Riyadh has a strategic location ripe with financial and tourism alternatives and capabilities. The launch of this new route will open new avenues to raise tourism between Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and Europe, benefit passengers touring along this route, in addition, to offer companies and mainstay industries within the Netherlands an opportunity to witness and invest in the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia.”
Abdulaziz Al-Asaker, general manager, aeronautical business development, at Riyadh Airports, mentioned: “This new route will serve as a gateway for individuals and businesses in Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the whole of Europe, and vice versa, through KLM’s network that extends to North America.”
The inauguration coincides with the Saudi International Ministry’s announcement on Friday that it’s extending its ban on international flights till the middle of May, amid increasing concerns over the spread of new strains of coronavirus around the world, the Saudi Press Agency mentioned.
RAC was established in 2016 as part of the privatization program of the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia, and as it currently manages and operates King Khalid International Airport, the company is working on upgrading KKIA infrastructure and expanding it with new services and facilities.
As soon as international borders open, there is strong enthusiasm among Saudi travelers to fly internationally, in response to a “global holiday intent” survey. The survey was carried out by YouGov on behalf of Reed Travel Exhibitions — organizer of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition in Dubai.
It found that 46 % of those surveyed in Saudi Arabia mentioned that they intended to travel internationally as soon as restrictions were lifted.
2021-02-01
