Three SAUDIA Employees Appointed to IATA’s Advisory Councils

Three members of Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, have joined The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Advisory Councils for the 2022-2025 term. IATA is a global airline trade association, representing 290 airlines, 120 countries, and 83% of total air traffic. They provide support to a wide range of aviation industry activities and work to formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.

Mr. Marwan Niazi, Vice President Commercial Saudia Air Cargo Company, Mr. Mohammed Alsaied, General Manager Strategies and Legal Compliance in SAUDIA Airlines, and Dr. Saleh Bukhari, General Manager Sales and Distribution Strategies in SAUDIA Airlines, have joined three Advisory Councils; namely Cargo Advisory Council, Legal Advisory Council, and Distribution Advisory Council respectively. Each individual’s appointment reflects the depth of his experience of the aviation industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as signifies their competent qualifications for these positions. They commenced their three-year term following IATA’s recently concluded 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) last June.

Through these prestigious appointments to three of the nine IATA Advisory Councils (IACs), members from SUADIA will be responsible for the strategic formulation and execution of airline policy and will advise the Board and work closely with IATA management on all matters referred to it by the IATA Director General and related to each of the three Advisory Councils.

As a Board of Governors Member in IATA, the Director General of SAUDIA Group, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, commented on this major recognition for the group: “I would like to take this opportunity to say that I could not have wished for a better group of people to represent SAUDIA amongst the industry’s best and brightest. I am confident that they will prove invaluable members of the IATA Advisory Council through their experience, expertise, and dedication to uplifting and empowering the industry.”

IACs members are appointed by the Director General based on nominations from member airline CEOs and following review by the Chair Committee and the approval of the Chair Committee and the Board. In-person council meetings take place at least twice a year at IATA’s offices in Montreal, Geneva, Singapore, Miami, or Madrid.

About Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle East’s largest airlines.

SAUDIA has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia.

A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), SAUDIA has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012.

The airline is ranked as a Global Five-Star Major Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and has been awarded Diamond status by APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying in recognition of its comprehensive approach to safety during the pandemic.

Most recently, SAUDIA was named the Middle East’s Fastest Growing Airline in 2022 by Brand Finance® and the World’s Most Improved Airline in 2021 by Skytrax, the second time it has received this prestigious accolade.