Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines have signed a strategic codeshare agreement that will link two of the region’s largest airline networks.The codeshare agreement was signed between Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and Dr. Ayed Al-Amri, General Manager Commercial Agreements and Haj Affairs of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

The agreement will allow Qatar Airways to carry Saudia passengers on the Dammam - Doha -Dammam sectors.

The Saudi delegation to Doha also comprised of Mohammad Rushdi Fairak, Senior Manager Bilateral Commercial Agreements, and Mr. Nowaf Alharbi, Saudi Arabian Airlines Manager Qatar and Bahrain.

“This new codeshare marks a historic milestone for Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines and is the start of a long term relationship that will help strengthen ties between our two countries,” said Al Baker, speaking at a press conference in Doha.

“We look forward to a prosperous relationship with Saudi Arabian Airlines and a long-term partnership that is going to deliver additional value to passengers flying on the Doha - Dammam route.”

The bilateral codeshare agreement will be effective from February 1, 2006.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is Qatar Airways’ latest codeshare partner. Qatar Airways has a network of strategic alliances with a number of airlines, including codeshare agreements with Lufthansa, Malaysian, Alitalia, Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways, All Nippon Airways, Philippine Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Yemenia, bmi (British Midland) and Air China.

Qatar Airways has established a reputation in the global aviation industry as one of the fastest growing carriers in the world, offering its Five Star service with unique hospitality.

With Berlin, the Kenyan capital Nairobi and the Spanish capital Madrid added to Qatar Airways’ network this winter, the airline’s global route map has expanded to 69 online destinations.

Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of 43 all-Airbus aircraft, which will almost triple in size to 110 jets by 2015. It recently announced plans to acquire up to 80 aircraft, comprising 60 of the new generation A350s and 20 Boeing 777s worth a total of US $15.2 billion.

Qatar Airways is one of the launch customers of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with four aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2009 to coincide with the opening of the New Doha International Airport, a state-of-the-art facility being built on reclaimed land.

Schedules for the daily Doha - Dammam flights are:-

Depart Doha International Airport

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays QR 710 at 0815, arrives in Dammam at 0910

Tuesdays and Sundays QR 714 at 1635, arrives in Dammam at 1730

Thursdays and Saturdays QR 714 at 2015, arrives in Dammam at 2110

Depart King Fahd International Airport, Dammam

Mondays, Weds and Fridays QR 711 at 1005, arrives in Doha at 1100

Tuesdays and Sundays QR 715 at 1830, arrives in Doha at 1925

Thursdays and Saturdays QR 715 at 2205, arrives in Doha at 2300
——-