Arab News, Mon, May 27, 2024 | Dhu al-Qadah 19, 1445
King Khalid International tops Saudi airport rankings with 82% compliance rate: GACA report
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport emerges as one of the top three
performing terminals in the Kingdom, according to official data.
The Riyadh-based aviation facility topped the
category for international terminals with over 15 million passengers annually,
achieving an 82 percent compliance rate with the General Authority of Civil
Aviation’s standards.
In its monthly report for April, GAC outlined the
performance of the country’s airports, highlighting King Fahd International
Airport and Abha International Airport as premier travel hubs.
Based on 11 key criteria, the evaluation aims to
improve service quality and enhance the passenger experience.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
came second with the same commitment rate but was outperformed by King Khalid
International in meeting the criteria.
King Fahd International Airport led the category
for international airports with 5 to 15 million passengers annually, also with a
91 percent commitment rate. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport
in Madinah, which had the same commitment rate, was second.
In the category of international airports with 2
to 5 million passengers annually, Abha International Airport secured the top
spot with a 100 percent commitment rate, outperforming King Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz Airport in Jazan, which also had a 100 percent commitment rate but
lagged in meeting the criteria.
Al-Qaisumah International Airport ranked first
among international terminals with fewer than 2 million passengers annually,
with a 100 percent commitment rate, excelling in average waiting times for
departure and arrival flights.
Arar Airport achieved the highest performance
among domestic terminals, with a 100 percent commitment rate, leading in average
waiting times for departure and arrival flights.
GACA’s performance evaluation is based on
essential criteria such as passenger waiting times, time spent at baggage claim,
and passport and customs areas, alongside standards related to accessibility for
persons with disabilities and other global best practices.
In an additional report released earlier in April,
GACA revealed that the volume of air cargo handled by airports in the Kingdom
saw an annual rise of 7 percent in 2023 to reach 918,000 tonnes.
The analysis stated that the Kingdom’s aviation
sector strongly rebounded in 2023, with airports witnessing a 26 percent rise in
passenger transportation compared to 2022.
GACA said that flight facilities in Saudi Arabia
transported 112 million passengers last year, an 8 percent increase compared to
2019.
The report revealed that the number of flights
through the Kingdom’s airports in 2023 reached about 815,000, an increase of 16
percent compared to 2022.
In 2023, airports in Saudi Arabia handled 394,000
international and 421,000 domestic journeys, the authority added.