Saudi authorities have approved the resumption of British Airways (BA) flights to Saudi Arabia, after the airline made a request to the Saudi General Presidency for Civil Aviation. BA suspended its flights to Saudi Arabia on 13 August.
The following is a joint statement released by the General Presidency for Civil Aviation and British Airways:
“At the request of British Airways, the President of Civil Aviation and the Director of British Airways met on 2 September 2003 to discuss a request by British Airways for the resumption of its regular flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which were suspended on 13 August 2003.
British Airways had announced the suspension of its flights to the Kingdom without any advanced consultation with the Presidency of Civil Aviation. British Airways is aware of the improper concern raised about the level of the security measures in the Kingdom, and the suffering of its passengers, caused by its decision.
In the light of the information available at the time, British Airways took the decision to suspend its flights with a view to re-evaluating security measures imminently. Inspection visits made by BA experts in the two countries have proved that the security measures at Saudi airports surpass international standards, established in the Chicago Treaty, pertaining to aviation security. British Airways appreciates the cooperation shown by Saudi authorities in this regard. In the light of this, British Airways requested the President of the Civil Aviation Authority to allow the resumption of its flights to Saudi Arabia, and its request has been approved by the Kingdom’s higher authorities.”
Source: SPA
