Local Press: The poor citizen!

By ABDULLAH AL-JAMILI | AL-MADINAH

THE national carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines has started imposing cancellation fees of SR50 and SR250 on anyone who dares to change his or her reservation on domestic and international flights respectively. You cannot escape the fine even if your reservation is months away.

You cannot delay your travel or bring it closer for any reason without paying the fine. May Allah take the consumer in our country under His mercy. Fees and taxes are burdening the consumer without anyone there to rescue him.

The poor passenger on Saudia may miss his hospital appointment for which he has been waiting for months because of a flight delay. His health condition may deteriorate and he will have to incur extra costs. He will not even be compensated by Saudia staff by means of a smile or a word of apology.

The poor passenger will carry his bag and go to the Saudia desk with his confirmed booking but he will be told by the grim-faced Saudia employee that the doors of the aircraft were closed because of the principle of “first come, first serve” or the other principle of “wasta”.

The passenger may lose his luggage and when he asks he will be told to come the next day. He is allowed to take one briefcase regardless of whether he is traveling domestically or to an international destination. For any excess baggage he will have to pay.

The rights of citizens are lost in many government organizations. Even the final verdicts of the Court of Appeals will be thrown into his face if they are to his favor. Please do not ask me here about the role of the Shoura Council because it is preoccupied with issues that are not of concern to the citizen.

Do not also look to human rights organizations because their members are busy following issues regarding housemaids and looking to have pictures of themselves taken by media personnel.

The question I want to ask is whether the citizen has become the scapegoat of government organizations that consider them easy prey, as no questions will be asked.

(aaljamili@yahoo.com)

Comments

DENTON

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Excellent article. Sums up the situation exactly!!!

MOHAMMAD ALI

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Saudia should show first consumer-oriented service, to that effect, even they do charge that cancellation fee if their service is worthy of. But right now, I dont see any improvement yet. There's a lot of poor services seen in thier flight attendants or employees.

DIYAH

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saudia is no more the old saudia ... its changing... sad to know. :(
well-written ! *thumbs up*

RIKKI

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Thank you Saudia! Almost all airlines worldwide have this policy. i have spent many hours sitting inside a Saudia airplane waiting for Saudi passengers who arrive late or do not arrive at all. Maybe this fine will curb this. Everyone knows Saudia is the only airline who will delay a plane for an hour or two while they wait for passengers who are late. People need to realise that an airplane is not a taxi/limousine that can leave and arrive at its destination at any time.

ABID IMAM

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Reference to the article , i would like to assure Mr Abdullah Aljamli that the penalties impossed by Saudi Airlines are not going to last. Either they have not studied the market properly or they do not know how to do the business.Saudia has impossed SR 250 for a date change. I think policy makers dont want that Saudi Airlines get ample share from this market and become one of the top airlines.Otherwise they will not take these steps. Being a common man , from my common sense i wiil give a simple calculation here. From 27 March Jet airways is going to fly direct flight from DMM to BOM on daily basis. In comparison Saudia flies 3 flts a week from DMM. Jet airways fares are cheaper than Saudia. Fisrt date change is absolutely free and for the second date change they will charge only SR 75. Where as if you travel on Saudia they charge SR 250 for the first change.Jet airways service is par excellence as compare to SAUDIA. If i have to travel , definitely i will travel on Jet Airways with more flexibility and daily schedule.If a common man can understand this simple calculation then why cant the Management of SAUDI AIRLINES understand this.What is their goal..to grow the Airline or close the airline?
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