History of Saudia

Since its inception, Saudia - Saudi Arabian Airlines has grown to become the largest airlines in the Middle East and one of the largest in the Aviation world. Saudia joined the illustrious ranks of the International Air Transport Assoxciation about 30 years ago .. IATA... and that is when it commenced operations to London. Saudia's first flights into London began on May 1, 1967 with a modest once-weekly flight with a Bosaeing 720B. Today the Middle East's largest carrier operates upto seven B747-300 flights a week from the Kingdom non-stop. After the initial start Saudia did not stand still for long, but in 1968, introduced 143-seat B707s operating once weekly between Jeddah and London. In the same year Saudia opened its own offace at the prestigious site - 171 Regent Street. This is still the address of current main ticket office. Over the years traffic growth between the Kingdom and UK increased, and by 1971 passenger flights were upped to three flights per weekly, plus the introduction of a weekly B707 freighter service. In the years immediately following, Saudia consolidated its position on a number of international riutes, including Kingdom-Europe and UK opewrations. By 1975, saw a dramatic change as Saudia introduced its first wide-body aircraft to international routes inn the shape of the Lockheed Tristar L1011. Apart from unprecedented quietness of operation, the Tristar also heralded a dramatic increase in both passenger and freight capacity on the airline's routes. This boost to capacity was fuurther enhanced two years later, when in 1977 leased B747 Jumbo Jets were added to produce a peak of 14 flights per week between the Kingdom and Britain. Along with the increased flights, Saudia's physical presence in the UK had in the meantime been enhanced, and in 1978 the airlines headquarters were moved to Chiswick, while the ticket office in Regent Stret was retained and refurbished. The new premises in Chiswick became home for Sales and Marketing departments, including Country Manager, Sales Manager and his staff, District Finance and Operations. In 1978, Saudia's CTO and Reservations ddepartment were automated with the British Airways's system. Aurtomated tivketing followed in 1981 and at Heathrow the automated DCS was cut-over hte same year. Saudia's Reservation, Ticketing and Check-in are now equipped with the latest in technology to provide Saudia customers with the highest standards of customer service. The next decade saw Saudia consolidating its position in the UK market, and in particular developing its services to Umrah and Hajj passengers.

The policy of modernization, aimed particularly at satisfying customer needs as well as improving serviecs to individual and commercial clients, was extended to all Saudia operations, and accordingly Heathrow was cut-over to a similar digital system at the end of February 1992. In May 1990, Saudia opened the Caterair / GCC flight kitchen, which was specifically designed to serve the needs of Saudia and other GCC carriers with Halal food prepared the Islamic way. This flight kitchen currently prtoduces around 7.000 meals daily out of Heathrow for Saudia and irts customer airlines. Saudia's current level of capacity to and from thre Kingdom of Saudia Arabia comprises seven flights weekly from London Heathrow to Jeddah and Riyadh., operated by Boeing 747-300 each configured to carry 393 passengers in First, Horizon and ?Economy classes. Freight is also carried on these aircraft, but specific heavy and oversize cargo shipments to the Kingdom are regularly trucked to Saudia's Bruussels "hub" served by the airlines's freighter fleet. Today Saudia's London operations is one of the moast important in its internatiojnal network. Last year, Saudia carried from London a total of 78,771 revenue passengers as well as 3,352,652 kg. of freight - in process achieving all boarding and revenue targets for the year. Saudia's operations at Heathrow airport include the offices of the Station Manager, plus Passengers Services, Flight Operations, Inflight Servicxes, System Maintemance, Cargo Services and Security. In addition, at Stanwell, very close to Heathrow airport, Saudia maintains a 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office facility, containing the Preocurement Department. Also situated very close the the airport is Saudia's catering facility operated by Saudia in conjunction with two other Gulf Cooperation Council partners - Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways.