Saudia

[Timberwolf]

Ticket sales can be quite difficult and can take a while before they are general sale

I suppose it is a slightly niche airline.No alcohol allowed on board,and allegedly carries employees for big defence contract certainly out of MAN.
So perhaps they won't need to get them on sale quickly if it's to be the same for BHX.

 

[Scania1800]

I suppose it is a slightly niche airline.No alcohol allowed on board,and allegedly carries employees for big defence contract certainly out of MAN.
So perhaps they won't need to get them on sale quickly if it's to be the same for BHX.

Saudi Arabia doesn’t allow any Alcohol to be entered into the country due to religious reasons

 

[Karl C]

...although that doesn't stop the Saudi royal family and their countless minions from drinking alcohol to excess behind closed doors.....at their private parties! Sauce for the goose tbh......the thousands of expats that live in Saudi Arabia do the same in their compounds also. No alcohol is the message to the world, but that's all it is, a message. Just don't get caught!

 

[Scania1800]

...although that doesn't stop the Saudi royal family and their countless minions from drinking alcohol to excess behind closed doors.....at their private parties! Sauce for the goose tbh......the thousands of expats that live in Saudi Arabia do the same in their compounds also. No alcohol is the message to the world, but that's all it is, a message. Just don't get caught!

Getting caught results to prisonment

 

[Coathanger16]

Given Saudi Arabia's desire to massively expand their tourism offer, I can see their attitude towards alcohol changing over the coming decades.

For instance, they're building a number of tourist resorts - I can see tourists being allowed to drink alcohol in these areas only, as long as it is purchased and consumed in those designated areas.

Essentially akin to what happens in Dubai - something I think Saudi Arabia is trying to replicate.

 

[Timberwolf]

Saudi Arabia doesn’t allow any Alcohol to be entered into the country due to religious reasons

Yes fully aware of that.Would probably stop many non religious people from flying with them though, which is why it's a slightly niche airline.Personally wouldnt bother me as I rarely drink.

 

[gulftraveller]

Given Saudi Arabia's desire to massively expand their tourism offer, I can see their attitude towards alcohol changing over the coming decades.

For instance, they're building a number of tourist resorts - I can see tourists being allowed to drink alcohol in these areas only, as long as it is purchased and consumed in those designated areas.

Essentially akin to what happens in Dubai - something I think Saudi Arabia is trying to replicate.

With respect, you are quite wrong. The issue is far more complicated. Tourism from UK to Saudi is a complete red herring.

 

[David Cartwright]

Yes fully aware of that.Would probably stop many non religious people from flying with them though, which is why it's a slightly niche airline.Personally wouldnt bother me as I rarely drink.

Always amazes me that folk can’t go 7 hrs without alcohol on a plane . They have a problem .

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Always amazes me that folk can’t go 7 hrs without alcohol on a plane . They have a problem .

I'm not sure they have a problem. For many people, the flight is the start of their holiday and they want to unwind and relax. Nothing wrong with enjoying a welcoming drink and a glass of wine with your meal. If they're drinking non stop, then they have a problem.

 

[Coathanger16]

With respect, you are quite wrong. The issue is far more complicated. Tourism from UK to Saudi is a complete red herring.

So where are the 100 million tourists Saudi want by 2030 coming from? All non alcohol drinking countries?

 

[gulftraveller]

The answer is it will never happen. I live in the region and think it will be hard enough to encourage regional visitors.

Saudi Arabia has a special role in Islam so there is a limit to the extent liberalisation can happen. There have been hints that Neom will have alcohol, but the Crown Prince is believed to be against it. So, yes, their tourism will largely come from non alcohol drinking countries.

 

[Coathanger16]

The answer is it will never happen. I live in the region and think it will be hard enough to encourage regional visitors.

Saudi Arabia has a special role in Islam so there is a limit to the extent liberalisation can happen. There have been hints that Neom will have alcohol, but the Crown Prince is believed to be against it. So, yes, their tourism will largely come from non alcohol drinking countries.

We'll have to wait and see I guess - I'm not suggesting it will happen anytime soon.

There seems to be general consensus that Saudi needs to divest its economy from oil/fossil fuels. If they can't pull of the tourism angle, it'll be interesting to see in which direction they go.

 

[nwoody2001]

The reality is that all countries in the region have a desire to divest away from a carbon based economy and this will inherently have conflicts with cultures and religious beliefs. the UAE, Qatar, Barhain, all very different countries in the region, all are nearly unrecognisable to what they were 20-30 years ago. Which direction Saudi travels in is up to them, but if they plan to compete, change needs to happen. The facts that we do know that are relevant to this discussion are as follows:

• Saudi have identified the need to invest significantly in the aviation industry in order to capture market demand from other nearby nations.
• Their goals are clearly defined to be the largest aviation market in the region (bigger than EK and QR) with an investment plan of $150billion being muted based around
  • Expansion of major airports
  • Significant expansion of Saudia Airlines based out of JED
  • Creation of a 2nd state airline (RIA) based out of RUH
• The initial stages of this is with the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (SACP) being set up to subsidise new routes into new markets - this is what BHX has linked with.

What is happening in the country is a separate discussion and not really important. with the country in its current state, they have sustained UK links to LHR and MAN. They want to grow their aviation market. Whether that is through connecting traffic or inbound tourism seems yet to be clear, but that doesnt really matter. Just look at Turkmenistan as an example - until covid had sustained and popular services fullfilling the needs of a specific niche market from BHX/LHR connecting via Turkmenistan, a country that strictly limits visas, let alone tourist visas - religious beliefs aside, it makes Saudi look almost welcoming.

Would i use the SV service - probably not. If i fly long-haul, i prioritise doing so in full-service and in business class and above and part of that for me is enjoying my trips with fine meals, wines and cocktails - all of which are readily available on TK/EK/QR so im unlikely to spend such a premium on a reduced quality of service. but that said, i hope they lauch and i wish them will in providing alternative options for people with different travel needs.

 

[Timberwolf]

We'll have to wait and see I guess - I'm not suggesting it will happen anytime soon.

There seems to be general consensus that Saudi needs to divest its economy from oil/fossil fuels. If they can't pull of the tourism angle, it'll be interesting to see in which direction they go.

They are currently building the Worlds largest Solar energy farm.With the amount of sun they get over large periods,I'm sure this will be a way forward to generate energy money to replace fossil fuels.

 

[mullion]

I can see that the holiday market to Saudi is long way from fruition
due not just the alchohol but dress code and female acceptance, I would for one never ever dream of driving
over there. Why would anybody book a beach holiday with so many restriction and also it is very hot in season.

 

[Coathanger16]

I can see that the holiday market to Saudi is long way from fruition
due not just the alchohol but dress code and female acceptance, I would for one never ever dream of driving
over there. Why would anybody book a beach holiday with so many restriction and also it is very hot in season.

Suspect the same was said about Dubai 20-30 years ago - and still is by some people today.

 

[mullion]

I don`t think it was ever as bad as Saudi as they were very used to UK visitors

 

[Ray Finkle]

Andy Street seems to think that it is happening.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1634521532918648839

 

[Scania1800]

Andy Street seems to think that it is happening.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1634521532918648839

The main thing he said is “this year”. Possibly I think their starting in July but I wouldn’t guarantee it

 

[Timberwolf]

Strange way to do it. Announce BHX but with no start date, but then allegedly have put BHX fares on GDS for travel agents to see. Yet still don't put the flts on general sale or provide a schedule.
So surely must be next week.