GACA suspends new airline decision

The General Authority for Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia has postponed its decision on which foreign airline it will allow to start operating domestic and international services in the country until February 2013. Seven operators were shortlisted following the tender process in July that attractive 14 bidders. These include Qatar Airways, Nesma Holding and Falcon Express Cargo Airlines. Four other consortia involve Saudi partners working with EgyptAir, Gulf Air, Bahrain Air and China’s HNA Group, parent of Hainan Airlines. GACA reportedly is negotiating with Saudi Aramco for a cut in jet-fuel prices to give non-Saudi players further inducement to enter