Korea hints at penalizing Saudia Airlines for suspending Incheon-Riyadh route

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is hinting that Saudi Arabia’s state-run air carrier may face penalties for violating Korean law by planning to cancel flights between Seoul and Riyadh without obtaining prior approval from the government, according to the ministry, Thursday. The ministry's decision follows Saudia Airlines' announcement on June 13 that it will cancel flights between Incheon International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, starting this Sunday. The company’s notice read, “Dear guest, your flight no. XXX for reservation XXXXXXXXXX has been cancelled. We appreciate your understanding. For more information…” A ministry official said the cancellation of trips without notifying the authority goes against Korea's Aviation Business Act, adding that Saudia never gave official notification about the cancellation. “For a foreign airline company to stop operating or change any of its routes using Korean airports, it needs approval from the Korean government,” an official at the ministry's international air transport division said. “Saudia Airlines has halted the service even before fully indemnifying its customers and acquiring clearance from the ministry. We’re now closely looking into the matter but, depending on the outcome, it’s possible we can fine them up to 100m won ($72,000).”<br/>