Arab News, Tue, Dec 05, 2023 | Jumada Al-Uola 21, 1445
Riyadh Air partners with Turkish Airlines to offer wide range of benefits for travelers
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s nascent flag carrier Riyadh Air has signed a strategic memorandum
of understanding with Turkish Airlines to offer a wide range benefits for
travelers using the carriers.
Under the deal, passengers of both airlines can
enjoy the convenience of a comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement,
allowing for smooth connections across the networks of both Turkish Airlines and
Riyadh Air, according to a press statement.
Another feature of this cooperation agreement is
the offering of a loyalty program, which allows passengers to earn points or
credits on codeshare flights operated by either airline.
The press statement added that these benefits will
be offered to travelers after Riyadh Air launches operations in mid-2025 and is
subject to regulatory approvals by relevant authorities.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines
of the 15th International Conference on Air Services Negotiations, which is
affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization, being held in
Riyadh.
“This agreement is another very significant step
in the evolution of Riyadh Air as we partner with the world’s largest global
airline by destinations served,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.
He added: “Bilateral agreements with established
network airlines are extremely important to Riyadh Air and there are significant
benefits to this partnership, our passengers can enjoy greater connectivity to
the world and deeper access to Turkiye, while an increased flow in volumes of
tourism, religious and business travel into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is
anticipated.”
Strengthening the aviation sector is very crucial
for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom is aiming to become a global tourism hub,
aligned with the goals outlined in Vision 2030.
Through its National Tourism Strategy, Saudi
Arabia aims to attract 150 million tourists to the Kingdom by 2030.
“This memorandum of understanding is more than a
collaboration; it’s a bridge between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, further
strengthening our ties,” said Levent Konukcu, chief investment and technology
officer at Turkish Airlines.
He added: “It’s also an opportunity to expand our
reach and offer our guests more choices and convenience. We believe this
partnership will not only benefit our customers but also contribute
significantly to the tourism and business sectors of both countries.”