What I don't understand is why GF does not go for the domestic Saudi market now that has been opened up.
Did you read the comment by QR about fuel costs and capped route prices? Not to mention the available traffic?
Look at FlyDubai flying out of places like Gassim, the flight time to Dubai is about 1:15, their international fares are not capped, and they can probably tanker in their return fuel. Now compare that to operating Gassim to Jeddah with the same flight time.
Mutt