Airline flying out of Manchester could be set to segregate male and female passengers

Saudia will order staff to keep men and women seated apart on its aeroplanes unless they are close relatives, according to the news website Emirates247

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The national airline of Saudi Arabia which flies from Manchester could be set to segregate sexes on board its flights amid claims men have lodged complaints about male strangers sitting next to their wives.

Saudia will order staff to keep men and women seated apart on its aeroplanes unless they are close relatives, according to the news website Emirates247.

Speaking to the Saudi daily, Ajel, assistant manager for marketing Abdul Rahman Al Fahd, said: “There are solutions to this problem, we will soon enforce rules that will satisfy all passengers.”

The airline carrier already complies with strict Islam practices including not serving alcohol or pork products, providing a men’s prayer area on most international flights and not employing Saudi women as cabin crew.

But the airline does employ women of other nationalities.

Many Saudi women require approval from a male guardian before they can travel or work outside the home

The vast majority of Gulf operated airlines abide by Islamic laws but vary in their strictness.

Saudia Airlines restarted flights from Manchester Airport with a direct route to Jeddah in March.

The airline operates flights three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday from March.

The service has benefited the region’s large Muslim population, especially when travelling to perform the religious pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.