RIYADH, 19 May 2008 — In an effort to grab more share of the travel market this summer, Sama Airlines has added Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt as it’s tenth international destination and the third point in Egypt after Alexandria and Asiut. It has also finalized plans to inaugurate a new route between Jeddah and Amman in Jordan, which will be Sama’s second flight on Saudi-Jordanian sector after Riyadh-Amman.

This was disclosed by Samer Atawi, Sama chief commercial officer, here yesterday. Atawi said that “the first flight from Jeddah to Amman will be on June 10 and then on June 12, which is part of an ambitious summer plan.”

Atawi said: “As part of Sama’s preparation for the next summer season, we are also pleased to inaugurate flights to Sharm El-Sheikh, adding to Sama’s increasing network of international destinations”.

Referring to the frequencies of flights to these new destinations, he said that flights will depart to Sharm El-Sheikh on a daily basis from Saudi Arabia including two per week from Riyadh and five per week from Jeddah. In addition, Sama will operate daily flights to Amman, he said. “This will cater to the growing demand of travel market, which is expected to increase by15 percent during the summer season compared to the summer last year,” he added.

“We have also increased the number of flights between some destinations such as Riyadh-Dammam, Jeddah-Dammam, Riyadh-Alexandria, Riyadh-Amman, and Jeddah-Alexandria,” said Atawi. He pointed out that Sama Airlines will operate a daily flight between Jeddah and Sharm El-Sheikh, and two flights per week (every Tuesday and Thursday) between Riyadh and Sharm El-Sheikh at fares starting from sr310.

The daily flights between Saudi Arabia and Amman will start from SR380, he said. “In fact, the travel demand between Saudi Arabia and Egypt as well as between the Kingdom and Jordan is the highest in the region, reflecting extensive family connections, visiting friends and family, or for tourism and business, said the Sama executive.

Sama currently flies to 13 domestic destinations, namely Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Abha, Jizan, Hail, Arar, Jouf, Tabouk, Rafha, and Bisha.

It also flies to 10 international destinations across the Middle East. Sama has also announced to offer various ways for booking, such as the website www.flysama.com or Call Centre 9200 05588, or Sales Center in all the main Saudi cities.