By Saleh Fareed
JEDDAH — King Abdulaziz International Airport received on Tuesday the first flight of the Malaysia-based commercial airline Malindo Air which obtained recently authorization from the General Authority of Civil Aviation(GACA) to operate flights between Kuala Lumpur and Jeddah.
The inaugural flight was received by Hani Al Thunian, CEO of Seherz Aviation, executive agent of Malindo Air in Saudi Arabia, Ameen Duhaithem, president of the northern terminal at KAIA and other officials of KAIA.
On his arrival, Raja Sa’adi bin Raja Amin, Director of Public Affairs at Malindo Air, said the Malindo Air flights will begin through King Abdulaziz International Airport on an average of two flights weekly and starting Ramadan, flights will be gradually added on a weekly basis.
Malindo Air flight OD267 will depart Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and Saturday at 1.30a.m. and arrive in Ahmedabad, India at 4.30a.m. It will then depart Ahmedabad at 5.25a.m. and arrive in Jeddah at 8.15a.m. The return flight OD268 will depart Jeddah at 9.45a.m. and arrive in Ahmedabad at 5.35p.m. After one-hour transit, the flight will depart Ahmedabad at 6.35p.m. and arrive in KLIA at 2.30a.m.
This project aims to facilitate travel of Malaysian citizens and residents alike to Jeddah and provide a new service for Saudi tourists heading to Malaysia.
He also said “the commencement of this new route by Malindo Air to Jeddah is to enter the main gateway to Saudi holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. This will create another affordable option for our Muslim guests to perform Umrah and Haj.”
“Malindo Air is thrilled to add our first Middle Eastern destination to our network. We are very optimistic that the response would be very good for this route, and we already have plans to progressively increase our frequency from twice to four times weekly and daily flight during the month of Ramadan,” added Raja.
Hani Al Thunian, President of Seherz Aviation, executive agent of Malindo Air in Saudi Arabia, thanked the efforts made by the General Authority of Civil Aviation in completing all qualification and licensing procedures for Malindo Air. He wished that this will produce the positive shift that GACA is aspiring for.
