Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the flag carrier of the kingdom, transported 27.8 million passengers in 2014, registering a 10.49 per cent increase, said a report.

The airline carried 15.7 million passengers on the domestic sector, which is a 6.71 per cent rise, Arab News quoted Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudia’s director general, as saying.

During 2014, the airline operated 190,123 flights, showing an increase of 12,668 flights or seven per cent compared to 2013, with the total number of domestic flights reaching 120,248.

The airline’s on-time performance rate during the year reached 90.79 per cent.

Al-Jasser emphasised Saudia’s determination to confront challenges facing the airline and further enhance services being extended to passengers in different locations including on board its flights.

Moreover, Saudia transported 12.18 million passengers on the international sector during 2014, showing an increase of 14 per cent compared to 2013, the report said.

The airline’s 2014 achievements were attributed to the teamwork of Saudia employees, who Al-Jasser noted desired to achieve high standards of performance. He also urged the Saudia staff to exert greater efforts towards enhancing customer services to offer passengers an unrivalled experience on-board the airline.