Riyadh – Mubasher: The number of passengers through Saudi airports surged by 17% year-on-year (YoY) to around 62 million in the first half (H1) of 2024 from 53 million.

The number of flights rose by 12% YoY to approximately 446,000 in H1-24 from 399,000 flights, according to a report by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

Additionally, airfreight volume in the first six months of 2024 increased by 41%, reaching 606,000 tons, up from 430,000 tons in the same period of 2023.

In H1-24, 16 Saudi airports obtained Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) accreditation for 2024.

Saudi airports also improved their rankings among the top 50 airports worldwide, as per the evaluation by Skytrax, an international air transport rating organization.

These achievements are part of GACA's initiatives and programmes aimed at developing the air transport industry locally, regionally, and internationally, in alignment with the National Strategy for the Civil Aviation Sector.

The strategy aims to make the kingdom's aviation sector the leader in the Middle East by reaching 330 million passengers, increasing air freight capacity to 4.50 million tonnes, and expanding air connectivity to 250 destinations to and from Saudi airports by 2030.

Moreover, GACA initiated several development projects in H1-24, including the expansion of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, the development of Al-Ahsa International Airport, the launch of a new international departure terminal at Taif International Airport, and the introduction of a self-driving air taxi during the Hajj season.

The authority also granted the first operating permit for building cleaning using drones, demonstrating its commitment to safe and innovative advanced air mobility solutions.

Furthermore, GACA launched a knowledge-testing centre for aviation personnel and the first phase of electronic gates at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.