ABU DHABI, March 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Saudi Arabian Airlines plans to buy 15 new medium sized aircraft with a capacity of between 50 and 100 passengers for use on domestic flights, the English-language Gulf News daily reported Thursday.

    The announcement followed a decision by the Saudi cabinet to establish the Civil Aviation Corp as an independent body that will operate as a commercial organization responsible for streamlining and developing the civil aviation and air transport industry.

    New contracts for the purchase of the new aircraft would be signed in April, disclosed Khaled Bakr, director-general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, but the total cost of the contracts has not been announced.

    The aircraft purchase would help enhance domestic services. Saudi welcomed any airline wishing to serve in the kingdom and the Saudi Arabian market is open to competition, Khaled Bakr was quotedas saying.

    It was the first time in its history Saudi Arabian Airlines was able to achieve operational profits in 2002, and to double the profits in 2003, followed by a 14 percent rise in 2004.

    And also for the first time the airlines was able to self-finance the modernization of its fleet, it is fully aware of the challenges ahead and is capable of adapting to the circumstances, noted the official.

    Started out in 1945 with a single twin-engine DC-3 Dakota, the airlines, today, is one of the largest airlines in the world with some 126 aircraft. Enditem