Saudi Arabian Airlines and Lebanon flag carrier Middle East Airlines-Air Liban have expanded their existing bilateral codeshare agreement, which will see both carriers adding their respective codes on flights between the two countries.

The expanded codeshare, effective today (August 15), follows from the existing partnership, which started in 2007, on ME operated flights between Beirut and Dammam. The expanded agreement now includes all flights sold and operated by MEA and Saudia between Beirut and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

This will effectively bring the total number of scheduled flights operated by Saudia and MEA between the two countries to 57 weekly flights, broadening the offering of both carriers and providing passengers with larger choice and more convenient schedule. Frequent Flyer members of each respective airline will find it even easier to earn and redeem miles on both carriers. Both carriers are members of SkyTeam Alliance providing their respective eligible top-tier frequent flyer members with a bouquet of privileges on SkyTeam operated international flights, including lounge access, priority services and excess luggage allowance.

Saudia currently flies 19 weekly flights from two cities in the kingdom to Beirut - Jeddah and Riyadh.

MEA currently operates 38 weekly flights from Lebanon to three cities in the kingdom - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

Both airlines are long-standing carriers in the Middle East region. MEA’s first flight to Saudi Arabia was in 1945 and Saudia first begun flying to Lebanon in 1948. - TradeArabia News Service