Saudi Arabian Airlines and Gulf Air, the first two carrier’s that started operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, will enhance their networks regionally and internationally through an expanded codeshare partnership from summer 2021.
On Sunday (April 25, 2021), Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, announced the launch of an expanded codeshare partnership with Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. As the first two airlines to commence operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the carriers will expand their regional and international footprints by sharing their codes and offering guests the warmth of signature Arabian hospitality. The codeshare will expand seamless connectivity options to guests of both airlines, with more domestic connectivity in Saudi Arabia and internationally across both networks.
SAUDIA will place their ‘SV’ code on Gulf Air flights from Bahrain to Riyadh, Jeddah, Tbilisi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Baku and Multan. Likewise, Gulf Air will place their ‘GF’ code on SAUDIA flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Bahrain, Abha, Jizan, Yanbu, Aljouf and Ha’il, as well as Tunis and Carthage airports. The codeshared flights will be available in the carrier’s schedules for the upcoming summer 2021 season.
In Sunday’s announcement, SAUDIA Air Transport Company’s CEO, Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy, said,
“SAUDIA and Gulf Air are key partners in connecting guests on each carriers’ diverse route networks. Both airlines have a long history of partnership, in which this expanded codeshare agreement further enhances connectivity, convenience and flexibility for travelers.”
Also commenting on the expanded partnership, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Captain Waleed AlAlawi, added,
“The relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been strong on many fronts, and aviation is one of them. Gulf Air and SAUDIA are the pioneer airlines in the GCC with over 70 years of legacy. We look forward to strengthening our ties to offer better connectivity and services to both airlines’ passengers.”
The new codeshare partnership represents a cornerstone in establishing broader commercial cooperation between SAUDIA and Gulf Air, while reflecting the deep and longstanding relationship between both Kingdoms. SAUDIA’s Al Fursan frequent flyer members traveling on Gulf Air flights on the codeshared routes will now be able to earn and redeem miles, while Gulf Air’s Falconflyer members can earn and redeem miles when flying on SAUDIA.
Source(s): Saudi Arabian Airlines, Gulf Air