JEDDAH – The Saudi Arabian Airlines started on Saturday its maiden service to Vienna, capital of Austria. The Saudia flight (SV151) took off from King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah at 7.40 a.m. and reached Vienna at 2.30 p.m. local time after a stopover at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

At the Riyadh airport, those who arrived to see off the passengers included Mag. Gregor Koessler, Austrian ambassador to the Kingdom, Saudia Riyadh station Manager Khaled Bin Juwaied and other senior Saudia and airport officials. Later, Austrian officials witnessed the landing of the plane at Vienna Airport. The airport and Saudia officials welcomed the plane with sprinkling it with water as a token of appreciation. They also presented souvenir gifts to some 116 passengers on board the flight.

The operation of service to Vienna is part of achieving the goals of the National Transformation Program 2020 and the Strategic Plan of Saudia in terms of expansion of its international operations network and strengthening of competition, according to the airline sources. There will be four weekly flight services from Jeddah to Vienna via Riyadh on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. — SG/SPA