
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Airport Debuts Cutting-Edge E-Gates
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has rolled out 70 state-of-the-art electronic gates, marking a pivotal step toward modernizing Saudi Arabia's aviation infrastructure. Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, inaugurated the system, emphasizing its role in streamlining passenger journeys through automation and artificial intelligence and aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. Smart Technology Enhances Efficiency, Security
The e-gates employ facial recognition and biometric verification to expedite check-in, security checks, and boarding without manual intervention. Each gate processes up to 2,500 passengers daily, slashing wait times by 40% compared to traditional methods. Authorities confirm the system adheres to global data protection standards, ensuring both speed and privacy for travelers.
Strategically placed across Terminal 1 and Executive Offices, the e-gates elevate KAIA's daily capacity to 175,000 passengers. This upgrade positions Jeddah as a key nexus for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, aligning with rising tourism goals. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and Neom Bay Airport previously adopted similar systems, reflecting nationwide scalability. Vision 2030 Drives Digital Transformation in Aviation
KAIA's modernization underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to tech-driven infrastructure under Vision 2030. The initiative aligns with goals to increase annual passenger traffic to 330 million and establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. Future expansions will integrate smart baggage handling and IoT-enabled navigation apps, further enhancing traveler experiences. Global Praise for Saudi Arabia's Aviation Innovation
Industry analysts highlight Saudi Arabia's rapid adoption of AI in aviation, citing reduced congestion and improved operational accuracy. The Jeddah hub's upgrade follows a $1.3 billion terminal expansion completed in 2023, solidifying its rank among the Middle East's top 5 busiest airports.
This strategic rollout not only elevates passenger satisfaction but also strengthens Saudi Arabia's competitiveness in the global aviation market, paving the way for sustainable economic growth.
Short link :
Post Views: 14
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Arabiya
37 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
MBS arrives in Mina to oversee organization of Hajj pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived on Thursday in Mina, on Mecca's outskirts, to oversee measures taken by the relevant authorities as the annual Hajj pilgrimage is underway. MBS arrived in Mina on behalf of Saudi King Salman to 'oversee the comfort of pilgrims and the services and facilities provided to them so that they perform their rituals with ease and safety,' according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). For more Saudi news, visit our dedicated page. More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under on Wednesday as the annual Hajj pilgrimage kicked off in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims on Wednesday began arriving in Mina where they stayed overnight before Hajj's high-point -- prayers on Mount Arafat. On Thursday morning, millions of pilgrims observed Arafat Day and which is considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage. On this day, pilgrims gather at the Plain of Arafat near Mecca to pray, seek forgiveness and reflect on their faith. From noon to sunset, pilgrims assemble at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon.


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Saudi authorities pump nearly 1 million cubic meters of water to serve Hajj pilgrims
MAKKAH: Saudi water authorities have provided nearly a million cubic meters of water to serve the 1.4 million Muslim pilgrims participating in the Hajj since Wednesday. The National Water Company said that it pumped more than 980,633 cubic meters of water to key holy sites visited by pilgrims, including Makkah, Madinah, Mina, Mount Arafat and Muzdalifah. The Saudi Water Authority, a government body overseeing water operations in the Kingdom, said that providing water to pilgrims was one of its 24-hour continuous tasks during the Hajj season. On Thursday, it presented its comprehensive water supply chain plan, which begins with seawater desalination, undergoes transportation and treatment, and ends with distribution, reuse and irrigation. An interactive presentation, 'The Story of Water in Hajj,' was shown in numerous languages at the Hajj Media Hub, an integrated media center supporting journalists covering Hajj, in the Makkah Chamber Exhibition and Events Center. It showcased advanced technologies for water desalination, storage, transportation and treatment, along with smart operations and sustainability solutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Physically demanding Hajj journeys echo pilgrimages of the past
RIYADH: While some worshippers choose to travel to Hajj in comfort, others see the pilgrimage as an opportunity to test their physical and spiritual fortitude. Following in the long tradition of epic journeys that led the faithful of history to Makkah, adventurous Muslims today are challenging themselves in a variety of ways. This year, three friends on horseback rode more than 8,000 kilometers over seven months from the south of Spain to Saudi Arabia to complete the Islamic rites in the holy capital. Their route retraced a historic one first trod by Andalusian Muslims living in Europe more than 500 years ago. Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez travelled through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan before crossing into Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region and making their way to Makkah. Hernandez told Arab News that the ride was a 'trip of challenges where every step (was) felt by us and the horses, but (was) also a journey for the soul.' The riders set off with limited funds and were supported by Muslims that they met along the way. Another group of worshippers took to the seas, taking about two months to sail more than 7,400km from London to Makkah. Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin and Taher Akhtar from London had no previous sailing experience before training for the maritime mission. Speaking to Arab News, Wahid, 38, said he was inspired by the combination of influences of his Muslim faith and the maritime history of the UK. 'It is kind of merging our religion Islam with the country (where) we are residing, and reviving this long-forgotten way to Hajj,' he said. In June 2022, British pilgrim Adam Mohammed arrived in Makkah after setting off from his home in Wolverhampton, UK 11 months earlier and 6,500km away. He walked through the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan to reach Saudi Arabia. Mohammed told Arab News at the time that, while studying the Qu'ran during COVID-19 lockdowns, he felt a spiritual calling inviting him on the journey. 'Suddenly, I woke up one day and something inside me told me to go to Makkah all the way by foot from my home,' he said. 'I could not ignore this voice and decided to go for it.' Pulling a 250kg cart in which he slept, prepared food and kept his personal belongings, Mohammed said that there were 'no big difficulties' on his travels, and that he was undertaking the challenge for religion and not for fame. Nabil Ennasri, a French pilgrim of Moroccan origin, cycled more than 5,000km to reach Makkah for the 2023 Hajj season. He began his journey in Paris and crossed 11 countries including Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Greece, Jordan and Turkiye. The 41-year-old wanted to revive the traditional pilgrimage experience and use his trip to raise awareness for global warming. Ennasri was able to retrace the historical journey taken by Muslims, and some of his own relatives, in the past. 'Some members of my family also traveled on foot. It could have taken months or even years. Some lost their lives during the journey,' he said. 'When I remember these moments, I find the strength in me.' Explaining the significance of his journey, he added: 'My first objective is to explain global warming; it is very important for our children and future generations. 'My second goal is to understand what kind of difficulties people (experienced) on pilgrimage in ancient times, to understand their long journeys on foot.' The trip was reminiscent of those carried out by millions of Muslims over the centuries, most of whom would have to have endured far greater hardships than travelers today. Perhaps history's most well-known Muslim explorer, Ibn Battuta, set off from his native Morocco in 1325 and did not return for another 24 years. He ended up discovering a love of travelling, reaching as far as China, but the first leg of his journey was to the holy capital to perform Hajj. In 2020, a Moroccan named Ghulam Yassin arrived in Makkah after retracing much of Ibn Battuta's original journey. Yassin travelled on foot and by bicycle for four years to perform Hajj — one of the five essential pillars of Islam. Generous Saudis were so inspired by his journey that they pledged to cover the cost of his pilgrimage the following year. In June 2022, Indian pilgrim Shihab Chottur arrived in Makkah after walking 8,600km from his home in Malappuram, Kerala. Chottur, who was 31 at the time, set off on foot carrying 12kg of luggage with $8,500 in his pocket. He passed through Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait, and a year later arrived in the Kingdom. The money he brought with him turned out not to be needed, because the Saudi government and Indian consulate decided to sponsor his Hajj. Instead, the shop owner used it to pay for his mother to complete the pilgrimage the following year. The Hajj pilgrimage is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it at least once in their life. While the Saudi authorities continue to make the process more accessible and comfortable for all believers, including those with mobility issues, every year physically demanding journeys such as these remind us of the difficulties of performing Hajj in the past.