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Saudia rejects ‘discrimination’ allegation
Khaled Al-Molhem, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has rejected allegations that his airline discriminated against nationalities but emphasized that it would uphold the sovereign rights of countries.
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We don’t discriminate against passengers on the basis of nationality and religion,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted Al-Molhem as saying while commenting on US media reports that Saudia did not allow an Israeli to board its flight.
“Diplomatic relations and political exchange are basic requirements for a person to enter a country,” the Saudia chief said indicating that Saudi Arabia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Al-Molhem made it clear: “
We cannot accept a passenger if his country does not have political relations with Saudi Arabia because it would be impossible for him to enter the country.”
He further clarified: “
This applies even to transit passengers because if there is a delay in the arrival of his flight he has to enter the country but it would be difficult for him because of a lack of political exchange.”
A senior Saudia official explained:
“Saudia operates its international flights only from or to Saudi airports, which makes it impossible for the carrier to allow anyone without a Saudi visa to board its flights, including Umrah passengers, let alone Israelis.”
New York’s public advocate and mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio accused Saudia of “discriminating” against Israeli passengers after a sting operation by his staff revealed that the airline refuses to book Israeli citizens in its flights.
Saudia rejects ?discrimination? allegation | Saudi Arabia | ????? ???????? | saudi news