Saudi Arabian Airlines to join Skyteam?
Dec 19, 2010, 8:26 am
#46
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No country is really "pals" with any country, but Saudi Arabia is more deeply involved with the US, as the US wants, than even Monaco.
About your two personal questions, the answers are in the negative.
As to the imagination about non-answers, well, be it as it you wish. I already answered your question about a Saudi position in relation to Israel, and it's in the post of mine which you quoted.
Monaco is no bastion of liberal democracy and is a frequent conduit for the material support of terrorists and other criminals. Going to stop doing business with businesses based in Monaco at some point before or after boycotting Chinese businesses? At least it's easier to avoid flying commercially-scheduled passenger carriers based in Monaco and any related global airline alliance.
About your two personal questions, the answers are in the negative.
As to the imagination about non-answers, well, be it as it you wish. I already answered your question about a Saudi position in relation to Israel, and it's in the post of mine which you quoted.
Monaco is no bastion of liberal democracy and is a frequent conduit for the material support of terrorists and other criminals. Going to stop doing business with businesses based in Monaco at some point before or after boycotting Chinese businesses? At least it's easier to avoid flying commercially-scheduled passenger carriers based in Monaco and any related global airline alliance.
As for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you keep skirting around the core issues. The fact is that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has yet to formally acknowledge Israel's right to exist, let alone formally cease hostilities and establish diplomatic relations. Your point that the Kingdom may be "praying" for Israel to attack Iran is amusing. Even if the Kingdom were hoping for open conflict between Iran and Israel, it wouldn't be because the Kingdom is such a staunch supporter of Israel. It would be purely economically motivated. Open conflict in the middle east drives oil prices up (especially when Iran is involved) and the kingdom desperately needs more 24 ct gold Bentlys (again, note that is sarcasm. Please don't try to refute the existence or practicality ofa 24 ct gold automobile
)Anyway, we've really driven off topic. Can we agree that we have vastly different views on the human rights position, support for terrorism, and degree of freedom accorded citizens and visitors by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and call it a day?
Dec 19, 2010, 8:48 am
#47
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Dec 19, 2010, 1:52 pm
#48
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I'm no fan of Saudi Arabia('s government), and have been critical of them for decades, for most of the same reasons as yours -- still I'm not interested in boycotting the flag carrier of that country because of the actions of the government anymore than I'm willing to boycott the flag carriers of the US for being US Government surrender monkeys (to each and every DHS/TSA demand that impacts the general public).
Last edited by GUWonder; Dec 19, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Dec 19, 2010, 2:13 pm
#49
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Then by the same "logic," Saudia may think, if it joins ST, will US invade their country based on a fictitious claim of "WMD" (really only, of course, wanting to get to its oil)? Just ridiculous...
(And as if US hasn't done more than its fair share of human rights abuses - just "not on US soil," so then it "doesn't count" and can be all forgotten about and ignored. )
(And as if US hasn't done more than its fair share of human rights abuses - just "not on US soil," so then it "doesn't count" and can be all forgotten about and ignored. )http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanes...can_internment
Dec 19, 2010, 3:28 pm
#50
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Why is SkyTeam bothering with minor national carriers (Tarom, Kenya, Vietnam...) that add no real value for the majority of flyers? What's next, Cayman Airways?
Dec 19, 2010, 3:31 pm
#51
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Dec 21, 2010, 1:04 am
#52
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SV is a solid airline. I flew them in April on IAD-RUH after the volcano nixed my CDG connection. USB ports at every seat in Y, PTVs with American TV shows (though with much more bleeped out than on US TV), and 34" of legroom. Plus a steak in coach on my 75 minute RUH-DXB flight with them. And while I don't agree with all their government's policies, most of the people I met in the Kingdom were great people.
Dec 21, 2010, 7:53 am
#53
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Dec 21, 2010, 1:14 pm
#54
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About Tarom, you are right.
Please consider that KQ has an extensive network in Africa, and that VN, added to China Southern and Eastern, and the chinese company from Taiwan gives very interesting opportunities in SE Asia.
SV will give us very good routes to India (it is not possible to reach Hyderabad ok Kochi or Kolkata with ST).
Jan 10, 2011, 2:26 am
#57
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Jan 10, 2011, 2:28 am
#58
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The big issue will be if SV and the Saudi Gov't make transiting an easy process.
Jan 10, 2011, 12:25 pm
#59
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It's Official!!
http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20110110.html
http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20110110.html
Jan 10, 2011, 12:43 pm
#60
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