Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) is moving ahead with its plans to privatize some of its sectors, Arab News reported today. Dr. Khaled Bin-Bakr, the director general of the airline, confirmed that the privatization process is proceeding according to the mechanisms approved by the airline's board of directors. These procedures include a complete change of the financial, operational, legal and administrative structure of the airline based on studies conducted by international consulting companies. The studies build on the general direction of the aviation industry and the best international practices and procedures to define the most suitable models - regionally and internationally - for Saudi Airlines present situation and future expectations. Among the most important focal points of the current restructuring is transforming the non-basic units to strategic commercial units and profitable centers. These will include the catering, shipping, ground handling services, maintenance, and the resource management sector in addition to the Prince Sultan Academy of Aviation. --MORE 1013 Local Time 0713 GMT
