Nation's New Aviation Authority Awards First License

The board of directors of Saudi Arabia's new General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which was chaired by Crown Prince Sultan, licensed National Air Services (NAS) as a private airline based in Riyadh last Wednesday.

With facilities in Jeddah and Riyadh, NAS will operate domestic flights in the country.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, president of GACA Abdullah Ruhaimy said the board would license a second airline, to be based in Dammam, after 45 days.

NAS's CEO and senior management team reiterated the company's commitment to provide the Saudi travel market with world class services and announced that the company will adopt the low cost carrier (LCC) model for its new airline, hence delivering more choices, value for money and convenience to the kingdom's traveling community.

The airline expects to begin service in early 2007 with an initial fleet of five aircraft. Information on the company's website shows it operates Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker and Airbus equipment so far. Future plans will grow the fleet to 18 aircraft by 2010.

NAS plans to serve 22 Saudi cities during the first year of operation and hopes to expand to 37 domestic routes by the end of 2008.

NAS CEO Taher Agueel said, "We are honored to have been awarded this licence by the General Authority for Civil Aviation, which managed the application process with great efficiency, genuine transparency and the highest level of professionalism. NAS is committed to providing world-class services to our customers across the kingdom, and we believe that the LLC model is the right match for the young and vibrant Saudi Arabia of today."

FMI: www.nasaviation.com