JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier, has confirmed that it has achieved SR3.3 billion in revenue from Haj and Umrah flights in 2010, stressing that it earned this money from chartering planes, which enabled it to operate 18,090 flights. In a statement issued here Monday, Saudia said a report by Okaz that it spent SR5 billion on petty expenses was inaccurate and that the money was spent on operational expenses that were required, including chartering the planes and renting areas in domestic and international airports. Other costs included payment of fees for crossing international airspace, landing fees, office equipment in airports, food for passengers, insurance and the cost of special sales at travel agencies, it said. Sales expenses were included in the operation cost, which include customs tariffs, flight schedules and expenses for publicity and advertising, as well as recurring freight expenses, according to the statement. These expenses also include legal consultations, international memberships, maintenance-material expenses, capital expenses, internal and external training expenses, training programs and costs related to work injuries, the Saudia statement added. The Saudia statement gave details of the expenses for chartered planes, indicating that several aircraft were hired for emergency operations related to Haj and Umrah. The chartered fleet consisted of 35 planes, which were used for operating 18,090 flights and approximately 64,700 flying hours, the statement said. The process of replacing the Saudia fleet depends on medium-term chartering the new Airbus 320 and the costs for those planes are paid monthly, according to the statement. Apart from this, Saudia also charters passenger planes in the summer season to meet the growing demand for domestic and international flights, the statement said. The airline has no chartered cargo fleet, which it needs to meet the increasing demand for the freight services, the statement added. Okaz has acquainted itself with a memorandum from a certified auditor, which shows that Saudia's expenditures do not include any petty fees, other than the usual operational expenditures.
