Saudi Arabian Airlines attributes losses to no-show passengers

Saudi Arabian Airlines Acting Vice-President for Public Relations, Waleed Aloloumi, attributed the carrier's heavy losses in revenue to a large number of no-show passengers who do not cancel their reservations (Arab News, 24-Jul-2010/Khaleej Times, 25-Jul-2010). The airline reported a loss of USD477.4 million due to 3.6 million no-show passengers, including 2.3 million on domestic services. Saudi Arabian Airlines charges no-show passengers 25% of the original fare. Mr Aloloumi also stated the carrier has rented additional aircraft to meet increased demand during the summer 2010 season. Saudi Arabian has 70 aircraft on order with Boeing and Airbus and will take delivery of 39 new Airbus aircraft by year-end. These aircraft will be configured with 120-298 seats. It has already received 10 A320s and one A330, which have been deployed on Asian, European and domestic operations.