The kingdom’s national carrier says that the removal of fuel surcharges from the price of a ticket will cut one-way flights by up to $60 each, while return journeys could fall by up to $120. The new tariffs are applicable immediately.

The move comes as international airlines struggle to compete for declining passenger numbers as a result of the economic downturn. Passenger traffic from some of Saudia’s key markets has fallen dramatically in recent weeks.

The carrier announced in early February that it was cutting weekly flights to Bangladesh by a third to account for the decline in migrant labour traffic (MEED 3:2:08).