Saudi Arabian Airlines posted a record revenue of SR14.6 billion last year, which is SR1 billion more than the figure of 2004, Jeddah-based Arab News quoted Dr. Khalid Bin-Bakr, its director general as saying yesterday. Saudia made a net profit of SR500 million in 2005. Bin-Bakr made this announcement while speaking at a meeting of the airline's board of directors in Riyadh, which was chaired by Vice-Custodian of the two Holy Mosques Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz. Prince Sultan praised the airline's achievements, especially its efforts in transporting pilgrims. Spelling out the national carrier's achievements over the past year, Bin-Bakr said Saudia transported more than 16.8 million passengers in 2005, with an increase of about one million passengers compared to 2004. He said the airline carried more than one million pilgrims from 84 international destinations to the Kingdom during this Hajj season. He also spoke about Saudia's efforts to promote domestic tourism. Referring to the privatization program, the director general said the airline was successful in increasing its revenue and number of passengers. "We have also started transferring sectors such as air cargo, catering service, ground handling, training of pilots, technical services and resource management to independent commercial units," he said. The board meeting approved the airline's budget for 2006 and endorsed its accounts for 2004.
