Aviation milestones in Saudi Arabia
Proving that the GCC’s aviation sector fares well, Saudi Arabia also has major milestones under its belt. For 2023, the aforementioned King Abdulaziz International Airport received the highest ratings on the Airports Council International. Meanwhile, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah was named the best regional airport in the Middle East at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. Additionally, the national carrier Saudia received accolades in the Skytrax global ranking, getting recognized as the most advanced airline in the world.
Furthermore, in the first half of 2024, the country recorded a 17 percent YoY increase in airport traffic, welcoming 62 million passengers. This is according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
Low-cost carriers registered a growth of 38 percent on international routes and 22 percent on domestic routes. Additionally, air cargo saw a significant rise of 41 percent annually, reaching 606,000 tonnes in the first half of the year.
Overall, Saudi Arabia’s air connectivity expanded to 163 destinations, marking a 23 percent increase compared to 2023.
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam is also recognized as the largest airport in the world by area. At 780 square kilometers, the airport is bigger than Saudi Arabia’s fellow GCC country, Bahrain. Further developments are expected in the airport as Saudi Arabia plans to expand the airport with a new six-runway facility by 2030. This could accommodate up to 185 million passengers per year.
Underscoring aviation’s importance, Saudi Arabia further unveiled its first “State of Aviation” report in May. According to GACA’s report, the sector contributed $53 billion to the economy and supported approximately 958,000 jobs nationwide.
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