Saudi Arabia's Air Travel Flourishes With Passenger And Flight Increases In 2024

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reported a notable rise in air traffic for the first half of 2024. Passenger numbers increased by 17%, totalling around 62 million, compared to 53 million in the same period last year. Flights also saw a 12% rise, reaching approximately 446,000 from 399,000 flights in the previous year.

GACA initiated several development projects this year. These include expanding Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and Al-Ahsa International Airport. Additionally, a new international departure terminal was launched at Taif International Airport. During the Hajj season, GACA introduced a self-driving air taxi experience for the first time.

In terms of service quality, GACA received two gold awards for Best Customer Service and Best Public Service Center in the EMEA region. They also won the Consumer Protection Association award for excellence in protecting passengers' rights and a certificate in quality management for monitoring flight safety and environmental sustainability.

Freight Volume Increase

Airfreight volume surged by 41% in the first six months of 2024, reaching 606,000 tons compared to 430,000 tons during the same period in 2023. This significant increase highlights the growing demand for air cargo services within Saudi Arabia.

Achievements in Aviation Sector

The aviation sector achieved several milestones over the past six months. Sixteen Saudi airports earned Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) accreditation for 2024. Furthermore, Saudi airports improved their rankings among the top 50 worldwide as per Skytrax evaluations.

Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah was awarded best regional airport in the Middle East at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in Frankfurt. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah received top ratings on ACI's list for 2023. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam won three Saudi Airports Awards for best airport (5-15 million passengers), best customs inspection area, and best services for people with disabilities.

Airline Recognitions

SAUDIA was recognised as the most advanced airline globally and had the best economy-class catering for 2024 according to Skytrax rankings. Flynas was named the fourth-best low-cost airline worldwide for the second consecutive year and first in the Middle East for seven years running.

These accomplishments align with GACA's initiatives under the National Strategy for Civil Aviation Sector. The strategy aims to position Saudi Arabia's aviation sector as a leader in the Middle East by targeting 330 million passengers, increasing air freight capacity to 4.5 million tons, and connecting to 250 destinations by 2030.

GACA also granted its first operating permit for building cleaning using drones this year. This move underscores its commitment to safe and innovative advanced air mobility solutions.

Moreover, GACA launched a knowledge-testing centre for aviation personnel and introduced electronic gates at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. These steps aim to enhance efficiency and security within Saudi airports.

All these efforts contribute significantly to developing Saudi Arabia's air transport industry locally, regionally, and internationally.

With inputs from SPA