Saudi Arabian Airlines is burdened with heavy debts. The company owes the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) SR11 billion, a source told local media. Top officials in the government intervened and helped the company repay SR2.6 billion, the source said. Delays in repayment led GACA to fine the airliner an additional SR1.5 billion, and later SR1.3 billion following the reorganization of the authority, bringing the debts of company from SR 8.5 billion to more than SR 11 billion.
Government agencies are in the process of taking measures to pay the fine for the delays. Debts, said the source, were categorized as SR1.41 billion in international aviation fees, SR309.4 million for domestic flights and SR420.7 million in transit fees. Saudi Arabian Airlines managed recently to repay large sums of its debt to the general pension corporation, paying SR3.75 billion, leaving SR679 million still unpaid. The Ministry of Finance is to repay these debts by deducting dues of the airline on government bodies. © Arab News
