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SaudiGulf Airlines

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SaudiGulf Airlines
السعودية الخليجية
IATA ICAO Call sign
6S[1] SGQ[1] SAUDIGULF
Founded2013
Commenced operations29 October 2016
Ceased operations2020
HubsKing Fahd International Airport (Dammam)
Fleet size4
Destinations11
Parent companyAbdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Sons Group of Companies
HeadquartersDammam, Saudi Arabia
Key peopleTariq Abdul-Hadi Al-Qahtani (Chairman)
Websitewww.saudigulfairlines.com

SaudiGulf Airlines (Arabic: السعودية الخليجية) was a carrier located in Dammam. It was owned by the Al Qahtani Group and became the country's third International carrier, after Saudia and Flynas.

History

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SaudiGulf Airlines was established in 2013 by Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Sons Group of Companies, a Saudi consortium of privately owned businesses.[2][3] The airline was planning to start operation in 2015 but encountered regulatory delays with Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation. The airline received its air operator's certificate on 22 June 2016.[4] It launched operations on 29 October 2016 with twice daily flights between Dammam and Riyadh.[5]

On 28 March 2019 SaudiGulf announced the cancellation of its 16 A220-300 orders. This came after an order for 10 A320neos, which SaudiGulf stated would be a better fit for the airline. The first Airbus A320neo was built, registered as VP-CGE, but not delivered as airline operations were suspended due to COVID-19 on 3 June 2020 and the company filed for bankruptcy afterward.[6] Its service was regarded as one of the best in kingdom before its bankruptcy and many clients were saddened at the cessation of its operations.

Destinations

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SaudiGulf Airlines flew to the following destinations as of October 2018:[7]

Country City Airport Notes Refs
 Egypt Cairo Cairo International Airport
 Iraq Baghdad Baghdad International Airport
Erbil Erbil International Airport
 Jordan Amman Queen Alia International Airport
 Pakistan Islamabad Islamabad International Airport
Karachi Jinnah International Airport
Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport
Sialkot Sialkot International Airport
 Saudi Arabia Abha Abha Regional Airport
Dammam King Fahd International Airport Hub [8]
Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport [8]
Medina Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport [8]
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport [8]
 United Arab Emirates Dubai Dubai International Airport

Fleet

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A SaudiGulf Airlines Airbus A320-200 approaching Toulouse–Blagnac Airport during a test flight in 2015.

SaudiGulf Airlines operated the following aircraft at the time of its demise:[9]

SaudiGulf Airlines fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
Airbus A320-200 4 16 120 136
Airbus A320neo 10 TBA
Total 4 10

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "SaudiGulf Airlines". ch-aviation. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  2. ^ "SaudiGulf Airlines selects V2500 engines for four new aircraft". Arab News. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Saudi Gulf Airlines ready to start operation in 2014". eTurboNews. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. ^ "SaudiGulf Airlines granted license for Saudi domestic flights". Al Arabiya. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  5. ^ "New private airlines SaudiGulf starts domestic operations". Trade Arabia. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  6. ^ "SaudiGulf Airlines Faces Extended Period On The Ground". Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. ^ "SaudiGulf Airlines destinations". Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d "SaudiGulf Airlines to launch on October 29". ch-aviation. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  9. ^ "SaudiGulf Airlines Fleet details and history". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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Media related to SaudiGulf Airlines at Wikimedia Commons