Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council approved a draft agreement for air transport services between the Kingdom and Qatar on Tuesday.
The approval is set to broaden the horizons for cooperation, coordination, and the exchange of expertise, the Chairman of the Transport, Communications, and Information Technology Committee at the Council, Hazza Al-Qahtani, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat.
According to Qahtani, the new understanding will also help achieve industry growth.
Qahtani pointed out that air transport is one of the most important means of connecting countries.
For that reason, the understanding works to increase coordination between the two countries’ flagship carriers, Saudia and Qatar Airways. This will aid the two airlines in competing globally in several commercial and economic aspects.
Airlines traditionally cooperate in several aspects, explained Qahtani.
He added that such collaboration covers economic and technical cooperation, noting that air companies also work together on customs, revenue fees, and commercial service procedures that govern air activity by providing a range of diverse options for travelers and workers in the field.
The Saudi Shura Council had convened on Tuesday to discuss several vital files and make decisions.
It requested the Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with relevant authorities, to work towards improving the sector’s investment environment in the Kingdom and encouraging private sector participation.
Moreover, the Saudi Cabinet called for developing employment policies and mechanisms in the Kingdom that ensure a balance between genders. It also urged conducting a detailed and accurate study to monitor the geographical distribution of tourist visits, the rate of turnout, and the main areas of expenditure in the various sectors.
The Council noted the importance of cooperating with the relevant authorities to study the impact of the pandemic on the accommodation facilities in Makkah and Madinah and to do what is necessary to enable them to meet the needs of the pilgrims.
