Plans for Saudi Arabia to open up its skies to foreign and new carriers to operate domestic and international services took another step forward this week as the country's civil aviation authority GACA, confirmed 14 applications had been received by the deadline day.
GACA confirmed that applications included those from Saudi-owned airlines and also from other GCC airlines. But also included new ventures from consortiums including Saudi-Gulf Arab groups and Saudi-Chinese companies.
It was earlier reported that Gulf Air and Emirates had expressed keen interest on entering the Saudi domestic market.
Speaking at the Aviation Outlook conference in Dubai earlier this week, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s privately owned low cost carrier, nasair, said he was watching developments with interest while calling again for a “level playing field” for operations in Saudi Arabia with regard to government support on regional routes.
GACA said that it is reviewing the applications and studying the financial backgrounds and capabilities of the applicant airlines and confirmed it will be issuing a RFP by the end of April.
It is believed the RFP will contain details on the airports, passenger movements and potential from cities in those regions and that there will also be a presentation by GACA and its consultants ahead of the tender process.
GACA was quoted by Saudi newspaper Arab News as saying that the licensed company will have the freedom to choose any Saudi airport as its hub and would be able to operate international flights within the limits of bilateral agreements.
Article Source : Arabian Aerospace
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