Dubai: United Airlines could soon taking off from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, according to a top executive at the US-based carrier.
Dave Hilfman, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales at United Airlines, said Riyadh was at the top of airlines list for new destination in the Middle East.
United currently fly from Dubai to Washington Dulles International Airport via Doha daily and from Bahrain to Washington Dulles International four times a week.
The possible Riyadh-to-Washington route could prove lucrative for United because of the government travel between the two capital cities.
Hilfman had earlier ruled out any immediate plans for new routes.
Speaking at a press conference celebrating the fifth anniversary of the airline’s Dubai-to-Washington route said there were “no plans at present to add any additional services” in the Middle East.
Instead, Hilfman said that with new aircraft coming online new destinations in the Middle East could become more economically viable for the airline. Hilfman said the carrier has 59 Boeing 787 Dreamliners on order with a further seven already received.
The airline also has an order for 35 Airbus A351-1000 and is expected to start receiving delivery by 2018.
Whilst the airline is keeping its eye on the Middle East with ample opportunities in the Gulf, Hilfman said it was unlikely United would be shifting from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International, Dubai’s new airport that opened this week.
“Our plans are to continue to fly form where we fly today, that is our desire. We feel good about the facilities today [and] we are pleased with customer amenities,” he said.
According to United executives, the airline is “comfortable” with Dubai International because “it makes the right economic sense.”
However, the airline may have to switch to Al Maktoum between May and July next year when Dubai International undergoes maintenance. Runway repairs at Dubai’s main airport will close down one runway, significantly reducing capacity.
United executives said they were eager to confirm their summer schedule into Dubai in order to reduce any impact on the customer.
“We’re obviously anxious to finalise it but we’re not quite ready to make a firm declaration at this point,” Jim Mueller, Vice President, Atlantic and Pacific Sales at United.
United have been working “very closely’ with Dubai Airports to arrange their summer schedule but were unable to provide a date on when schedules would be released.
Hilfman said the airline was “certainly concerned” about what ramifications the construction would have on United’s schedule.
