Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia and Garuda Indonesia have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a future joint business partnership aimed at strengthening connectivity and expanding travel options.

Building on their existing codeshare cooperation and shared SkyTeam alliance membership, the agreement will explore single-ticket travel linking Garuda’s networks in Indonesia and Australia with Saudia’s destinations across the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

The partnership will also examine cooperation in network planning, scheduling, sales, marketing, loyalty programmes, technology and airport services.

Both airlines will explore enhanced support for Umrah and Hajj travellers between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing air links between the two markets.

Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia, said: “This MoU builds on the strong foundation of cooperation between Saudia and Garuda Indonesia and reflects Saudia’s strategic focus on building high-value partnerships that strengthen air connectivity. Through this agreement, we aim to offer guests more flexible travel options between Indonesia, Australia and Saudia’s network across the Middle East, Europe and Africa.”

Neil Raymond Mills, Director of Transformation at Garuda Indonesia, said: “The collaboration between Garuda Indonesia and Saudi holds strategic values which not only relates to the expansion of flight networks yet also to bolster Indonesia’s accessibility to the Middle East, Europe and Africa as one of the most important travel corridors for the Indonesian people. This region has significant relevance, both for pilgrimage travel, community mobility, business connectivity, and the broader development of economic cooperation.” -TradeArabia News Service