VISION 2030-INSPIRED PLAN GIVES SAUDIA WINGS
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDI), the kingdom’s flagship carrier, has launched a transformational programme to align its goals with that of the government’s Vision 2030.
A centrepiece of that alignment will be the acquisition of 84 new aeroplanes over the next five years, enabling the airline to modernise its fleet and expand its network in line with the government’s policy of being a global logistics and transportation hub.
“SAUDIA has always been keen to develop products on board its flights, starting from developing food menu, offering a new package of comfort sets with signatures of world designers, increasing the hours of the entertainment system through adding the most recent movies and programmes, in addition to providing Internet service for all the guests of SAUDIA,” said Khaled Bin Abdulqader Tash, the airline’s assistant director general for communications.
The carrier, is also introducing new job opportunities such as airline chef, butler and assistant cabin flight attendant, apart from specialised training programmes for airline personnel to raise the levels of customer service.
“SAUDIA kept pace with the digital transformation through developing the infrastructure of booking and sales systems via offering a comprehensive digital experience since establishing a booking to leaving the aeroplane through mobile phones or SAUDIA website, which are accompanied with continuous development of digital channels and after-sales services,” Tash said.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS LIFTED
Meanwhile, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), has lifted travel restrictions for 11 countries. These include the UAE, the USA, the UK, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, France and Japan.
The restrictions were lifted after health authorities assessed the stability of the epidemiological situation in a number of declared countries, and the effectiveness of controlling the pandemic in some of these countries.
The kingdom’s airports have also been preparing for nationals to start travelling abroad, according to a GACA circular.
“The circulation allows aviation companies to transport vaccinated people who have received two full COVID-19 doses or those who received only one dose, provided that 14-day of inoculation have passed since taking the first dose, as shown by the Tawakkalna application, which is officially accredited to allow airports' entry and boarding the planes,” GACA noted
NEW LOGISTICS AGENCY
In another move to bolster the country’s logistics sector, the Saudi cabinet approved the creation of a logistics agency under the Ministry of Transportation, and as part of the overarching National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
The NIDLP has been effective in streamlining the kingdom’s national industrial and logistics infrastructure and has already notched up wins, including the launch of the largest of its kind geological survey programme for the Arabian Shield region.
“It also achieved remarkable progress in international connectivity by adding five new shipping lines to the kingdom's ports, inaugurating the first locally manufactured fast intercept boat, the launch of multiple utility-scale renewable energy projects and strides of progress in military equipment localisation as well as the global launch of the ‘Saudi Made’ programme,” according to its website.
As part of recruiting the private sector to contribute to the transportation and infrastructure sector, the Transport General Authority (TGA) launched the "Distinguished Transport Partner" programme in May.
The programme is available to companies with at least 500 licensed vehicles across the land, sea and rail transport.
The TGA said the programme was inspired by the significant economic value of the transport sector and its role in supporting the national non-oil economy in diversifying its sources, taking advantage of its digital channels to launch the programme, including (Naql platform) in addition to the previously launched 16 business service centres in 15 cities around the kingdom.
TRANSSHIPMENTS SURGE
Saudi ports, handled by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), saw record number of transshipments in May, with more than 242,000 containers, an increase of 14.27% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of handled containers reached 592,000, with 24,000,000 tonnes of goods handled during the month. The number of imported vehicles reached 63,000, livestock imports stood at around 163,000, while total foodstuffs reached 2,000,000 tonnes.
Saudi ports also saw a 7.25% increase in the number of ship arrivals to 1,021, while the number of passengers rose by a remarkable growth of 354% to 44,000 passengers.
“The increase also comes due to strategic partnerships with major international shipping lines that contribute to strengthening the connection of Saudi Arabia’s ports with the ports of the east and the west,” Mawani said.
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