A new Business Class-only service between Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia has made its debut.

Called Albayraq, the service was launched by Saudia Private Aviation (SPA), a division of Saudi Arabian Airlines, in partnership with PrivatAir.

The new service comes as part of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ 2020 vision, says Faisal Kayal, Managing Director, Saudia Private Aviation. "It is a business bridge from Jeddah to Riyadh and vice versa which has been created to serve VIPs, businessmen and corporate leaders whose business requires them to travel frequently between Riyadh and Jeddah.”

"PrivatAir is delighted to be working with Saudia Private Aviation. We look forward to serving SPA's discerning clientele on this new route. Our two companies share a common vision of excellence; thus, we are certain our collaboration will be a success. It gives us great pleasure to play a part in enabling SPA to achieve their goals," says Greg Thomas, Executive Chairman and President of PrivatAir.

The scheduled service is being operated by two Airbus A319-100 in SPA livery, configured with 48 all-business-class seats completed in fine leather. The operation will be supported by an additional A319-100. The route will be served seven days per week, departing six times a day from both directions. Under the ACMI 'wet-lease' agreement with SPA, PrivatAir will provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.

The aircraft cabin is designed for luxurious comfort to provide passengers with a world-class experience both on board and on the ground. Each passenger will be treated to the full Business Class concept and enjoy a modern in-flight entertainment system provided via portable electronic devices offering Internet access. Passengers will use a private terminal to enter the aircraft. 

"This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a strategic partnership with an international airline. At PrivatAir we pride ourselves on our service d'excellence and have built our reputation on it. We are delighted to extend our all business class concept to a new region and look forward to delivering our premium service to SPA's customers," adds Victor Grove, Senior Vice President, Selection, Training & Customer Service.


PRIVATAIR

PrivatAir is a leading international business aviation group with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and operating bases in Frankfurt (Germany), Geneva (Switzerland), Brazzaville (Congo), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The company has been in operation for nearly 40 years and currently employs 400 people. PrivatAir is a comprehensive aviation group with three divisions delivering service excellence both in the air and on the ground: 

SPA was founded in 2009 as an independent unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, the leading national carrier. With headquarters in Jeddah, SPA delivers luxury flight services to the top tier clientele of Saudi Arabian Airlines, in compliance with the highest international standards in maintenance and safety. SPA offers a comprehensive range of VIP non-scheduled flights to any destination at short notice, as well as the best comprehensive ground handling services, and aircraft management and consultation. Such a range of activities, delivered by a team with over 60 years’ experience in aviation within Saudi Arabian Airlines, confirms SPA's intention to be a leader in private aviation.