DOHA: Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines on Thursday signed a strategic code-share agreement that will link two of the region's largest airline networks. The agreement has paved way for Qatar Airways to operate a direct flight between Doha and Dammam daily, from February 1.
The code-share agreement was signed between Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and Dr Ayed Al Amri, General Manager, Commercial Agreements and Haj Affairs, Saudi Arabian Airlines.
The agreement will allow Qatar Airways to carry Saudi Arabian's passengers on the Dammam - Doha - Dammam sectors. The Saudi delegation to Doha also comprised of Mohammad Rushdi Fairak, Senior Manager Bilateral Commercial Agreements, and Nowaf Alharbi, Saudi Arabian Airlines Manager Qatar and Bahrain.
"This new code-share marks a historic milestone for Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines and is the start of a long term relationship that will help strengthen ties between our two countries.
"We look forward to a prosperous relationship with Saudi Arabian Airlines and a long-term partnership that is going to deliver additional value to passengers flying on the Dammam route," Akbar, said.
The bilateral code-share agreement goes into force from February 1. Saudi Arabian Airlines is Qatar Airways' latest codeshare partner. Qatar Airways has a network of alliances with a number of airlines, including code-share agreements with Lufthansa, Malaysian, Alitalia, Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways, All Nippon Airways, Philippine Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Yemenia, bmi (British Midland) and Air China.
The Doha-Dammam flights will be operated daily. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, flight QR710 will depart Doha at 8.15am arriving in the Saudi Arabian city at 9.10am, local time. On Tuesday and Sunday, flight QR714 will depart Doha at 4.35pm arriving Dammam at 5.30pm and on Thursday and Saturday, flight QR714 departs Doha at 8.15pm to arrive Dammam at 9.10pm.
In the return direction, flight QR711 departs the King Fahd International Airport, Dammam at 10.05am arriving Doha at 11pm, local time. On Tuesday and Sunday, flight QR715 departs Dammam at 6.30pm to arrive in Doha at 7.25pm while on Thursday and Saturday, flight QR715 will depart Dammam at 10.05pm, arriving Doha at 11pm.
© The Peninsula 2005
