Saudi Air Cargo Volume Soars by 7% in 2023
In a stunning display of growth, the volume of air cargo handled by airports in Saudi Arabia surged by 7 percent in 2023, reaching a whopping 918,000 tonnes, according to official data released by the General Authority for Civil Aviation.
Aviation Sector Rebounds Strongly in Kingdom
The Kingdom’s aviation sector witnessed a remarkable rebound in 2023, with airports experiencing a 26 percent increase in passenger transportation compared to the previous year, as reported by GACA.
Record-Breaking Statistics for Saudi Airports
Flight facilities in Saudi Arabia transported a total of 112 million passengers last year, marking an 8 percent rise compared to 2019. The number of flights through the Kingdom’s airports also saw a significant increase of 16 percent, totaling about 815,000 in 2023.
International and Domestic Travel Flourishes
In 2023, Saudi airports handled 394,000 international journeys and 421,000 domestic trips, reflecting the booming travel and tourism sector in the region. A total of 61 million international visitors and 51 million domestic passengers passed through the Kingdom’s airports last year.
Top Performers in Saudi Aviation
King Abdulaziz International Airport emerged as the leading airport in Saudi Arabia, with an impressive rate of 30 flights per hour. Following closely behind were King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, operating 27 flights per hour, and King Fahd International Airport with 11 carriers in an hour.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Aviation Goals
The executive vice president of strategy and business intelligence at GACA, Mohammed Al-Khuraisi, revealed that Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding its aviation sector to achieve the target of 250 global destinations. The Kingdom also made significant progress in air connectivity, climbing 14 spots in the International Air Transport Association Air Connectivity Index in 2023.
China Southern Airlines Authorized for Riyadh Flights
In a recent development, GACA granted authorization to China Southern Airlines to operate flights between Riyadh and three cities in China – Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. This move aims to enhance connectivity and bolster the Kingdom’s air transport network in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.