SAMA takes off for Abha from 14th July

The inaugural Dammam/Abha flight is set for Saturday, 29th Jumada II, 1428H (July 14, 2007), with the Riyadh-Abha service beginning the next day.

The launch of the new destination, the sixth Saudi Arabian city in SAMA's flight schedule, comes days after the airline was named official carrier of the Abha Shopping Festival 2007. The Festival began on Wednesday 26th JumadaII (July 11, 2007).

Faisal Al-Duhaim, Marketing Director for SAMA, said this initiative reinforces the airline's commitment to the nation's infrastructure and its people. "SAMA is the first low-cost carrier flying daily to Abha, one of the Kingdom's most famous tourism destinations", he said. "The addition of this new destination is part of our strategy to cover all major Saudi Arabian cities, and to offer tourists, families and businesspeople a brand new option and a simpler, more affordable way to fly".

The carrier's sponsorship of the Abha Shopping Festival 2007 is part of its mission to boost inbound tourism in the Kingdom. The airline currently sponsors tourism festivals in both Riyadh and Dammam.

To cope with the expected number of bookings, SAMA plans to increase its daily service into Abha to twice-daily flights later on in the month. Each flight seats 148 passengers.

SAMA flights can be booked via the website, through the SAMA customer service centre on 920005588 or by visiting SAMA sales centers in airports. Abha-based travellers can book at the sales centre in Mirage Hotel- Kahmis Mushayt, King Faisal St., or at the SAMA sales centre in Abha airport.

The Riyadh-based SAMA, launched in March 2007, also plans to expand throughout the Gulf region and beyond, Al-Duhaim added. The airline currently links Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah and Jazan.