Arab News, Sun, Jun 23, 2024 | Dhu al-Hijjah 17, 1445
Saudia tops Kingdom’s airlines in May for passenger satisfaction and resolution: GACA
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier, Saudia, registered the fewest complaints among
the Kingdom’s airlines and documented a 95 percent resolution rate, according to
official data.
In its May rankings of air transport service
providers and airports, the General Authority of Civil Aviation noted that a
total of 1,318 complaints were registered against Saudi airlines.
As part of its efforts to uphold passenger rights
and promote transparency in the aviation sector, the authority has been
conducting a monitoring and inspection program to ensure that Saudi airports and
carriers adhere to international standards and recommendations.
This monthly classification, based on traveler
complaints received by GACA, considers Saudia, flyadeal, and flynas, as well as
multiple airports across the Kingdom.
Saudia emerged with the lowest incidence of
complaints among airlines, with only 10 per 100,000 travelers and an impressive
95 percent resolution rate.
Following closely, flyadeal recorded 11 complaints
per 100,000 passengers, with a resolution rate of 99 percent, while flynas had
13 complaints per 100,000 travelers and a resolution rate of 100 percent.
The primary grievances centered around issues
concerning luggage, flights, and ticketing.
Among international airports serving over 6
million passengers annually in the Kingdom, King Fahd Airport in Dammam
demonstrated good performance, registering a mere three complaints per 100,000
travelers and achieving a 100 percent resolution rate.
Similarly, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in
Tabuk reported only one complaint per 100,000 passengers, with a 100 percent
resolution rate.
Najran Airport stood out among domestic airports
with two complaints per 100,000 passengers and a 100 percent resolution rate.
Emphasizing its commitment to transparency and
service excellence, GACA reiterated that the monthly classification report
serves to foster fair competition, enhance service quality, and bolster trust
among travelers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Furthermore, GACA has equipped airport operators
with comprehensive guidelines for handling complaints, underscoring adherence to
service agreements and regulatory standards, SPA added.
Regular workshops conducted by GACA further
empower airline and ground service company staff to implement passenger
protection measures effectively.
According to the authority, it maintains multiple
communication channels, including phone, email, and social media, open around
the clock to enable interaction with travelers and airport visitors.
The complaints received through these channels
often concern issues such as boarding passes, employee behavior, and services
for persons with disabilities and limited mobility.