Budget carrier Scoot will take over parent carrier Singapore Airlines' Jeddah service from May next year, said a statement released by the airline.

The transfer of operations to Scoot from May 1, 2016, will result in an increase in capacity to and from the Saudi Arabian city and better optimise the utilisation of the SIA Group’s resources.

Singapore Airlines currently operates three flights per week to Jeddah via Dubai with 285-seat Airbus A330-300s. Subject to regulatory approvals, Scoot will start with thrice-weekly non-stop services between Singapore and Jeddah using 335-seat Boeing 787-8s, with plans to progressively increase frequency.

“Scoot is thrilled to be adding our first Middle Eastern destination to our network,” said Scoot CEO, Campbell Wilson.

“We have long wanted to operate to Saudi Arabia. Jeddah, its second largest city, is both a commercial centre as well as the principal gateway for religious pilgrimages to nearby Mecca. With thrice-weekly non-stop services, Scoot looks forward to improving connectivity between Singapore and this important world city.”

Customers who have made advance bookings to or from Jeddah on Singapore Airlines will be re-accommodated on Scoot’s new services, or may otherwise opt for a refund, the budget carrier said in a statement. – TradeArabia News Service