28 May 2005
JEDDAH -- Saudi Arabian Airlines is to introduce electronic-payment system for online reservations through Visa, MasterCard or Saudi American Bank (Samba) accounts, according to information received from the media department.
The airline introduced online reservations two years ago. Director General Dr. Khaled Ben Bakr said this was a step further in developing the national carrier's reservation services, and would cover tickets purchased through the Internet or through the electronic machines.
In a related development, Saudia Catering, the in-flight services wing of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has received the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification from the Swiss company Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), a world leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
The certification is for food safety and quality standards followed in Jeddah, at all its units in Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah and Cairo.
Saudia Catering is the first company in the Middle East to receive three international certifications, the ISO 9000-2000 in 2003, the SQF (Safety and Quality Food) in 2004 and now the HACCP.
Ben Bakr received the certification from HACCP President Brian Hunt at a ceremony held here recently. "We are glad to earn this certificate, which shows the trust that is put in us, and it givers us more credibility," he commented.
Shawgi Mushtag, vice president of Saudia Catering, said that it serves more than 55 airlines.
BY A CORRESPONDENT
© Khaleej Times 2005
