Saudia Expands Philippine Operations

27 November 2014

Saudi Arabian Airlines is growing capacity to Manila by flying 14 times a week from the previous 11, between Riyadh and Dammam starting January 15 next year. 

Although it might appear to be an equipment downgrade from the previous Boeing 747-400 to the Boeing 777-300ER planes, the capacity increase is still equivalent to more than 1200 seats per week because the bi-class triple seven holds 413 passengers less than the 434 seats of the B747 or a difference of 23 passengers only.

“The Philippines is an important market for the airline since there is a large number of Filipinos working and living in Saudi Arabia,” said Saudia Airlines director-general Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

Saudia flights to Jeddah remains at two times a week operating still with a B747. 

The airline operates the most number of flights at 16 times a week to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from Manila. 

Saudia is the first Middle Eastern airlines that provide direct flight between Manila and the KSA starting operations in the Philippines in 1982 with two weekly flights to Riyadh transporting 43,388 passengers, mostly overseas Filipino workers. Passengers rose to 403,254 in 2013.  

Currently, there are about 700,000 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.