Saudi Arabian flying to Mashad?

[newscaster]

Have SV added this Iranian city to their network? their website has no info but Amadeus show it as operating from Dammam nonstop using an MD-90.

[mutt]

It was operating for the summer, not sure about the winter schedule.


Mutt.

[newscaster]

Was it only for this summer or is it seasonal every year? what about Salalah is it served by SV aircraft or code share on Oman Air?

[mutt]

As this was the first year of operations on the route, i do not know how successful it was or if it will be continued next year. However there is a huge UMRA passenger movement from Mashad to Madinah which will soon be replaced by the HAJJ movement, so Saudia aircraft will be constantly seen in Mashad.

Salaleh is a summer MD90 destination, seems quite popular.


Mutt.

[newscaster]

Wouldnt a direct A300 Madinah-Mashad make more sense? do SV have potential markets in Central Asia, Afghanistan and western China? any plans to fly to these places?

[mutt]

Two different markets, the DMM route is supposed to connect the Shi'ite communities! The MED service is for UMRA and HAJJ, that service is operated by A300/B777's.

IMHO any future destinations will be to destinations with large Moslem populations or cheap labour. China/Nepal are a possibility but nothing on the cards just now.

Mutt.

[newscaster]

Why was Bangkok dropped from their network? do they plan to resume it in the near future?

[mutt]

Its a long story about jewels, drugs and politics! Expect to see the service restarted whenever they find the real diamonds!

BTW, The Saudi government prohibit Saudi nationals from going to Thailand. Special permission is required for people seeking to go there for business reasons.


Mutt.

[naughty but nice]

Hi Mutt,
just curious..why do saudi nationals have to ask permission b4 they can travel to thailand? :D

[mutt]

Its a long story about jewels, drugs and politics! :):):)

Colleague going to Bangkok for Airbus conference, he was permitted, wife and son not allowed!

Gave up trying to apply logic to the rules and regulations of this country a long time ago. :)

Mutt.

[newscaster]

mutt, do SV have any fleet repleacement plans for the A300 and 741/743's? what types do you think they will go for?

[mutt]

Would you believe me if i said the Bombardier CRJ700 or the Embraer 170?

They have started removing the A300 from service, complete removal will take about two years.

Mutt. :)

[newscaster]

Thanks for all the info, I feel its about time SV upgraded all of their east Asian services to the 777 and 744, if they can use the types to labour markets like Peshawar(777) and Lahore(744 from Nov, at present 743) in Pakistan then they can also deploy them on the more prestigious Asian routes.

[mutt]

So what would you suggest they use the 741/743 aircraft for?

The 777 operates PEW due to a double crew requirement, crews refuse to overnight there and i cant say that I blame them.
744 will replace 743 to Lahore to free the 743 to operate Indonesian Hajj, expect it to change back again. 777 to operate JFK to free 744 for LHE and LHR.

The fact of the matter is that the Classic 747 is a 450 seater money spinner, its going no where for quite a while.

Mutt.

[newscaster]

I would expect them to phase out the 741/743 fleet and modernise themselves liek other airlines in the region are doing, or dont they have a vision like EK and QR?

[mutt]

You have to remember that SVA is over 50 years old

They have a lot to clean out before they can see the same visions as EK/QR.

IMHO, the regional jet is the last step prior to privatization, the company will be sold as a money making enterprise. No other fleet replacement will take place until that time.

Mutt.

[newscaster]

Looks like Lahore wont be getting the 744 this winter and in east Asia Manila already is served by the type.

[mutt]

B744 starts operating to Jakarta on the 13th December.....

Mutt

[newscaster]

SV schedules for Lahore show it getting 777s as well besides the normal 741/743 services.

[Bear 555]

As an enthusiastic pax, I always enjoyed riding a 747 Classic down to Abha. All those extra voices screaming on finals as we roll through the 7,000ft hill tops...

Bear 555

[newscaster]

Mutt, thanks for the update, I see it reverts to 743 again from March.