Poland in Saudi Arabia

Ambassador Robert Rostek gave an interview to the "Rynek Lotniczy" (pl. "Aviation Market") portal, in which he discussed many aspects related to the upcoming launch of a direct air link between Poland and Saudi Arabia. We encourage you to read the interview below:

 

                  Polish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: LOT in Riyadh is a success!

Mateusz Kieruzal, Rynek Lotniczy: You are the initiator of Warsaw-Riyadh flights. Where did such an idea come from?

Robert Rostek, Polish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: I am an arabist and I have spent half of my life in the Arab world. I have been in the Persian Gulf for 12 years now, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the third country where I hold the highest position of representative of the Republic of Poland. Previously, I was ambassador to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. These are the countries with which Poland - thanks to my efforts - has gained direct air links. This was one of my first major goals as head of the diplomatic mission.

During my stay in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, it was the hosts who signalled the need for direct flights, rather than the Polish side. While in Doha, after many intensive efforts and negotiations that lasted five years, it was possible to welcome the Qatar Airways in Warsaw. It is worth noting that they were the first airline from the Gulf to launch direct flights to Warsaw. A few weeks later, Emirates also appeared in Poland. I remember long discussions with Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO. Every time we met, he already knew that our conversation can’t do without the topic of flights to Warsaw. A nice and symbolic crowning of these efforts was a joint flight with the above-mentioned CEO to Warsaw on plane filled almost entirely by Polish community living in Qatar. While working and living in Abu Dhabi I succeeded in encouraging the management of airlines Emirates to fly to the capital, and Flydubai to fly to Krakow.

Flydubai in Krakow was a gigantic success.

It's true. Quite recently, Arabia was visited by a delegation from Malopolska. Representatives of the Krakow airport pointed out that Flydubai connections turned out to be a hit. Not only Emirati citizens, but also Saudis are arriving in Krakow on Emirati airlines' planes. Having talked to many members of the local community I learnt that the Saudis have come to love Poland, as well as our culture and cuisine.

The need to launch an air bridge between Saudi Arabia and Poland was signalled by the Saudis?

Both yes and no. Lack of direct flights means losses for business and slower development of tourism. As our bilateral relations are growing faster, trade is increasing too. Travelers between the two countries have to fly via Dubai, Frankfurt or Istanbul to reach Riyadh. The trip is long and the flight schedules are not customer-friendly.

When I showed up in Arabia, I began efforts from the beginning to initiate flights between Riyadh and Warsaw. The Saudi side informed me that, according to their records, the first talks about possible air links began in 1995. I am glad that my eight months of intensive efforts - including convincing people who had to be convinced, which was not so easy - had a positive effect, and LOT will connect the two capitals.

Which side was the most difficult to negotiate with?

I have to admit that it was rather challenging to negotiate with the Polish side. I know that even with negotiating techniques and arguments in favor, financial and budgetary considerations are important in the end; economics takes over. What is clear is that the new planes should not fly empty. Certain conditions must be met in order for an air route to bring profits. In my discussions with the Polish side, in my opinion, the key argument was that the market will, sooner or later, be acquired by Saudi airlines, which are ready to fly to Warsaw.

Why Riyadh? Why not Jeddah or Dammam?  Orlen has established extensive cooperation with Aramco, which is based near Dammam.

I don't have exact data on how many Aramco employees fly to Poland... There is about one thousand Polish citizens in Saudi Arabia, spread evenly between Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh. Riyadh, in addition to being a political capital, is becoming a very dynamic economic hub. The city will host EXPO 2030 as well as FIFA World Cup 2034. With a population of 7.5 million Riyadh is three times bigger than Warsaw.

The cost of round-trip flights starts from USD 600. Are these connections dedicated more to Saudis or Poles, or perhaps the majority of passengers will be transfer travellers from e.g. Scandinavia?

It is difficult to please everyone. In my opinion, both Poles and Saudis will benefit from LOT's offer. You mentioned Scandinavia. The information that LOT will fly to Riyadh caused quite a stir in this part of the world, and Finnair began making efforts to connect the Kingdom's capital with Helsinki. This confirms that LOT's offer is competitive and is a good alternative even for people travelling between Saudi Arabia and the United States. This coincides perfectly with the Kingdom's wide opening to the world.

The information that LOT is opening of Warsaw-Riyadh flights has caused a big boost in bilateral trade relations. By a decision of the authorities of the two countries, the Polish-Saudi Consultative Council was established, and a bilateral business council will be set up very soon. Another session of Saudi-Polish Business Forum is planned for June 5, 2024 in Warsaw, to which invited guests will fly on LOT's inaugural flight from Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is Emirates 2.0?

Power is de facto held by the heir to the throne, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The kingdom has evolved a lot, the lifestyle has changed. It is a very different country than before. Issuing first tourist visas in 2019 was a pioneering move. Arabia is a very safe country, anyone can come here without the slightest concern. According to the latest data, it ranks 12th in terms of safety (all neighbouring Gulf states are in the top ten).

I visited Arabia in 2019, two weeks after the first tourist visas had been issued. This country has, indeed, great potential.

I agree with you. Saudis and Poles share a common trait. Both nations are famous for their hospitality, so I invite all compatriots to the magical Saudi Kingdom, which until 2019 was a closed country to tourists. I have signals that Saudi airlines are also preparing to launch flights to Poland.

Which company would that be: Saudia, the national carrier, or for example Flynas, a low-cost operator? Which city will the Saudi airlines' planes arrive in?

According to the information I have it will be Flynas. When it comes to Polish destinations, Krakow, Warsaw and Wroclaw are under consideration. It is also worth noting that a new national airline, Riyadh Air, is being developed in Saudi Arabia. I am familiar with the CEO of the new carrier, who previously managed Emirates' Etihad. From what I know "behind the scenes," the business product offered by Riyadh Air will be unique (including business class superior to first class comparing to other airlines), so we will witness a stir, but also increasing competition in the airline market.

When will the provisions of the bilateral agreement come into effect?

Procedures on the Polish side were completed on November 17, 2023 by a resolution of the Council of Ministers. The Saudi side ratified the agreement on January 9, 2024, so everything is ready for the first flight from Warsaw to Riyadh to begin on June 4, 2024.

Wizz Air, which flies to the three Saudi cities from Vienna, expresses its desire to offer flights from Poland to Riyadh as well. You can easily book round-trip flights for less than 100 euros. The provisions of the bilateral aviation agreement have the appearance of a monopoly. Wouldn't market liberalization be a better solution?

When I was the Polish Ambassador to Qatar I was asked the same question. In the first phase, the agreement designates the carriers indicated by both sides to operate direct flights. We will see how the Warsaw-Riyadh-Warsaw connections will perform. Thanks to my efforts, the flights will be year-round and not seasonal, as the implementation of periodic connections on such a route is a mistake.

LOT's flights will pay off. The local IT sector is developing very quickly and rapidly, partnerships are being established with Polish companies. Naturally, I understand that when someone flies on vacation, costs are carefully analysed. In the case of business, it is different. To quote a certain person, with whom I fully agree: "the worst direct connection is 100 times better than a connecting flight in business or first class through one or two airports."

When promoting Poland in Arabia, because of the long distances, do you travel around the country by plane?

Yes, I like flying and my dream was to become a pilot. Of course, it is possible to travel between Riyadh and Jeddah by car, as the highways are of very good quality, but it takes more than 10 hours. Arabia’s population exceeds 33.5 million people. Air transportation in the Kingdom is very popular, and the development of low-cost airlines such as Flyadeal and Flynas has made flying even more popular.

A visa to Saudi Arabia is easy to obtain but costs about USD 125. Is there a chance to make travels from Poland to Saudi Arabia visa-free or reduce the visa cost?

There are no specific arrangements on this issue yet, but I can reveal that I started talks with the hosts on this topic as well.