Riyadh Deputy Governor Utilises Autonomous Vehicle To Review Developments At King Khalid International Airport

Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, recently utilised an autonomous vehicle while travelling to King Khalid International Airport. Accompanying him was Saleh Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). This initiative is part of the Transport General Authority's (TGA) efforts to introduce autonomous vehicle services in Riyadh, aiming to promote smart and sustainable mobility.

During his visit, the deputy governor explored the airport operations control centre. Here, he learned about its crucial role in real-time decision-making, which involves coordination with various airport stakeholders. The centre aims to enhance operational flow and improve passenger experiences by using advanced operational systems and artificial intelligence technologies.

The deputy governor also inspected the development project at International Terminal 2 and reviewed ongoing work. He then toured International Terminal 1 to observe expansion activities. During these visits, he examined the integrated passenger journey model for both departures and arrivals, as well as the services offered to travellers.

Saleh Al-Jasser highlighted that developing Terminals 1 and 2 will increase capacity by 14 million passengers. With additional terminal projects, King Khalid International Airport's total capacity will reach approximately 56 million passengers annually. This expansion aims to facilitate smoother travel, accommodate more flights, and boost air traffic growth while enhancing passenger experiences with modern services.

Al-Jasser emphasised that these development projects will strengthen airport infrastructure and reinforce its role as a global logistics hub. They are expected to expand the economic impact of cargo and logistics operations while enhancing Riyadh’s position as an international hub for travel, transport, tourism, and trade.

These initiatives are part of the Aviation Program within Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy. They align with the Kingdom's aviation sector growth under the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Future Prospects

Al-Jasser noted that these strategic projects pave the way for King Salman International Airport. This future airport is anticipated to become the world's largest by 2030 with a capacity exceeding 100 million passengers annually. By 2050, this capacity is expected to rise to 185 million passengers, further solidifying Riyadh's status as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

With inputs from SPA