Air France celebrates 30 years of services to Saudi Arabia

Services to Riyadh began in 1983 and Air France has linked Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world continuously ever since. 

After a commemorative flight to King Khalid International Airport with water-cannon salute and a cake-cutting event on December 7, Air France continues today the celebrations by hosting a private VIP reception at the official Residence of the French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh. Held under the patronage of His Excellency Mr Bertrand Besancenot, Ambassador of France to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the presence of Mr. Tjalling Smit, Air France KLM Senior Vice President, Middle East, Gulf and India, the reception will be attended by distinguished guests and corporate clients, aviation and travel industry representatives.   

Frederic Gossot, general manager Gulf Saudi Arabia Iran and Pakistan, Air France KLM, said: “Air France is very proud to be celebrating this long association with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – one of our most important destinations in the Arabian Gulf - extending to 30 years of continuous service. We have flown millions of passengers to and from Saudi Arabia, helping to connect the country with the rest of the world. We are also very proud of our strategic partnership with Saudia, which was the first airline in the Middle East to join the SkyTeam global alliance, creating a gateway to this vital economic region and to its own comprehensive network of routes for the benefit of all our customers. Our aim is to continue to provide outstanding services to the community of Saudi Arabia and we look forward to the next 30 years of service. On behalf of Air France-KLM, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Government and aviation authorities in Saudi Arabia, as well as our loyal clients, corporates and travel agents, who have made this achievement possible and the relationship such an enduring success.”