We haven’t had a low cost carrier shut down in a few months, but we knew we wouldn’t make it to the end of the year before finding out about another one. Sama—an LCC from Saudi Arabia—shut things down at the beginning of the week after losing around $266 million.

The airline thought that the government would kind of help them out with things like fuel subsidies, but apparently the help never came through. Sama officials even went looking for some rich people to assist them with one last infusion of cash, kind of like Mexicana, but that also didn’t work out. ]]> kjb 2010-08-26T08:35:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/3/71621/24990

We all know the drill: no smoking on the aircraft, there are smoke detectors in the toilets, blah, blah, blah. What we didn't know is the kind of punishment you might get for lighting up a cigarette if you happen to be flying Saudi Arabian Airlines at the time.

A guy flying from Qurayyat in northern Saudi Arabia up to Jeddah last week got caught smoking--police arrested him when they landed and he ended up in court. And he was sentenced to receive 30 lashes.

The passenger apologized and told the court he was going to a clinic to get help with quitting, but that didn't dissuade them from the 30-lash thing. So in case you needed it, that's one more reason to pack your cigarettes in your checked baggage.

Related Stories:
· Man Gets 30 Lashes for Smoking on Plane [The Age]
· Saudi Arabia Travel Guide [Jaunted]
· Smokin' Szele Plans to Cop a Plea [Jaunted]

[Photo: RoyChung1993] ]]> amandak 2009-02-03T09:15:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/6/81050/29065

Given that for most of us women, vacationing with a head to toe cloak isn't our top priority, we haven't often considered Saudi Arabia as a destination. But maybe that's about to change.

The Saudi government is pushing to attract more tourists to the country, aiming for 1.5 million a year, not including the Muslim tourists who come on pilgrimage. Three new training colleges will teach the locals to work as tour guides, airport officials and travel agents.

But it's not "tourism at any cost": The government will tell tourists what we can expect (we're waiting to hear) and that includes somewhat restrictive cultural norms. Probably not a destination for a beach vacation but you might get to run up and down a sand dune fully clothed.

Related Stories:
· Saudi Arabia a Sleeping Giant [The National]
· Saudi Arabia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: zedorwin]]]> amandak 2008-06-06T09:45:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/11/29/25932/822

With just five aircraft to its name so far, Saudi Arabai's first budget airline Nas Air could, until recently, fly you between just a handful of destinations, including Jeddah and Riyadh. But that's okay for an airline that started life as recently as February 25 this year.

Nas Air is actually a subsidiary of the Saudi National Air Services and its expansion was recently announced. They're now going to be flying to 20 destinations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a fare starting at 49 Saudi Riyals (about $13).

What we like about Nas Air is its overwhelmingly upbeat attitude. We're not sure if the airline is living up to it, but this is what's promised:

We have a fervent zeal to be the best we can be in an advanced 21st century.

Any airline with a fervent zeal these days is more than okay by us.

Related Stories:
· Nas Air [Official Website]
· Saudi Arabia Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Low Cost Carrier coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: moaksey]]]> amandak 2007-11-30T09:50:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/8/10/13919/5903

The mosque Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām in Mecca is the place where all Muslims are expected to visit at least once in their lives.

Unless you are Muslim, this is probably as close as you are going to get to Mecca. While the mosque is an important part of Arab culture, from what we have heard, the police ask travelers to Mecca to recite some basic passages from the Koran in Arabic in order to gain entry. Not the most fool proof security system, however it isn't like it says "Muslim" or "Non-Muslim" on your passport.

In the satellite photo you can see plenty of people around the Kaaba--millions visit this site every year.

Related Stories:
· Masjid al-Haram [maps.google.com]
· Mecca [GoogleSightseeing]
· Masjid al-Haram [Wikipedia]]]> markj 2006-08-10T13:09:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/7/13/11298/8894

Sassiness on the part of your wife or daughter can ruin a vacation, so why not nip it in the bud and take her to Saudi Arabia? Yes, Saudi tourism officials are hoping to boost their the number of visitors to 50,000 a year, up from, well, next to nothing at present. Licensed tour operators will increase from one to eighteen in order to facilitate this process, though tours of Mecca and Medina for non-Muslims will remain off-limits.

The ladies will have to put the kibosh on their skinny jeans as well if they come along for the trip. According to the Sydney Morning Herald:

All female tourists will be required to dress according to Saudi tradition: covered from head to toe with only their face, hands and feet exposed. And in the most conservative city, the capital, Riyadh, women must wear a black robe over their clothes... And swinging singles need not apply. [Ladies] younger than 40 must be accompanied by their brothers or fathers.