JEDDAH, 28 September 2006 -- Saudi Arabia's current economic boom is reflected in many sectors of the economy, including aviation, an industry leader said yesterday.

"Many international carriers have expressed their desire to operate to and through the Kingdom to reap the benefits of its all-round economic buoyancy," Al-Rawia International Aviation Support Service Company (ALRASS) Founder & Chairman Fawzi Ismail Qubouri told Arab News.

"We're in the business of aviation support services and we know the status that the commercial aviation industry enjoys and the bright prospects that it holds, especially in the next five years," said Qubouri, a retired brigadier general and commander of King Abdullah Air Base, and a graduate of King Faisal Air Academy, Riyadh.

The company founded by him is the general sales agent (GSA) for two Libyan carriers -- Nayzak Air Transport and Afriqiyah Airways, which have a schedule of weekly flights to the Kingdom. "These and some other international carriers are eyeing the rapidly growing number of pilgrims coming for the annual Haj and year-round Umrah," he said, adding that his company recently entered into an agreement with Nigeria's Mangal Air, and Afghanistan's KAM Air for their representation. "Thus we foresee a very good future for our own company and also for the aviation industry in general," he added.

Most encouraging, according to him, is the soaring number of Umrah pilgrims, which this year is estimated at over three million. "With the guidance of our Supreme Commission for Tourism and the ongoing developments in the tourism infrastructure, we're heading in the right direction," he said.

The Kingdom's archeological and other historical sites have remained a big attraction for Western and other overseas visitors. "Archeological and other historical sites, the Red Sea coast well known for marine life and water sports, professional groups of Haj and Umrah tour operators and leisure packages for the Asir region could bring in more visitors," he said.

Speaking about his company's business, he said ALRASS offers a wide range of services either through its own resources or through affiliated professional service agencies. They include management of aviation operations and provision of technical support and consultations, obtaining clearance for airspace over flying and landing at the Kingdom's airports and also at international airspace and airports, and GSA services in the Kingdom and ground handling agent services at many airports worldwide.

It offers support services to passengers that include hotel accommodation and transport, as well as Haj and Umrah packages worldwide. Its technical support services include clearances and authorizations for chartered flights, airline companies, and passengers and cargo, as well as VIP and business flights, and rescue flights and medical evacuation.

ALRASS also represents Universal Weather & Aviation Inc. Houston of the United States for aviation for flight planning and weather. It has the representation of other aviation companies including Sky Eyes of Taiwan for aviation, Euro Express Aviation Ltd. of the UK and Worldwide Aviation Suppliers of Beirut, both for aircraft parts, and Khalid H. Zainy Trading Est. of the Kingdom for catering and general trading.

By K.S. Ramkumar

© Arab News 2006