Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Sector Soars to New Heights
In a remarkable surge, passenger traffic in Saudi Arabia skyrocketed by 17 percent in the first half of 2024, hitting approximately 62 million passengers compared to 53 million during the same period in the previous year, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday.
Flights and Airfreight Volume Reach New Peaks
The number of flights also saw a significant increase, reaching around 446,000 flights, marking a 12 percent rise from the 399,000 flights in the first six months of 2023, according to statistics released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Additionally, airfreight volume surged to 606,000 tons in the first half of 2024, a staggering 41 percent jump from the same period in 2023.
Kingdom’s Aviation Achievements Unveiled
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector has achieved several milestones in the past six months, with 16 Saudi airports securing the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) accreditation for 2024. Moreover, Saudi airports continued to climb the ranks globally, with three airports receiving prestigious awards from ratings agencies last year.
Recognition and Awards Galore
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah clinched the top spot as the best regional airport in the Middle East at the Skytrax World Airport Awards, while King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah garnered top ratings on the Airports Council International list for 2023. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam also shone, winning multiple awards, including the best airport in the 5-15 million passengers category.
SAUDIA and Flynas, two prominent airlines in Saudi Arabia, were also honored for their excellence in the global aviation industry, further solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a key player in the air transport sector.
Future Plans and Initiatives
Looking ahead, GACA aims to elevate the Kingdom’s aviation sector to new heights by setting ambitious targets for 2030, including reaching 330 million passengers, increasing air freight capacity to 4.5 million tons, and expanding air connectivity to 250 destinations to and from Saudi airports.
Driving Innovation and Progress
During the first half of 2024, GACA initiated various development projects, such as expanding airports, launching new terminals, and introducing innovative solutions like self-driving air taxis. The authority’s commitment to advancing the aviation industry is evident through its accolades, including gold awards for customer service and public service excellence.