14 firms in fray for airline license

Fourteen companies are vying to win the Kingdom’s third air carrier license. It was announced yesterday by Prince Fahd bin Abdullah, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). “A panel of experts will look into the companies’ profiles and shortlist the qualified among them to present their offers,” he said. “We are looking for a strong company that would be capable to operate both domestic and international flights.” He was speaking to reporters at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah after launching the media center for the new airport. He said the GACA would follow the royal decree regarding employment of women. “We’ll abide by Shariah regulations while employing women in areas specified for them.” Prince Fahd said the authority has already started employing women and it is in the process of creating work places for them that are suitable and comfortable. Speaking about the progress of the new expansion project, he said 21 percent of the work has been completed. GACA described the media center as first of its kind in the Kingdom, adding that it would allow visitors to know the project’s progress through live photos. “We have set up this center to provide all information about the project with transparency as many people would be interested to know about this vital project that is closely related to their lives,” a GACA official said. It said the center would help establish good contact between the media organizations and society by providing them with correct information about this huge government project. “The center will provide the latest information about the project and answer the questions of the public regarding the project.”