Latest news with #KAIA
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
King Abdulaziz Airport ranks third in Middle East for air connectivity, says ACI
SHANGHAI — King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah ranked third among Middle Eastern airports in the 2024 Asia-Pacific and Middle East Air Connectivity Index, the Airports Council International (ACI) announced during the Air Connectivity 2025 Conference held in Shanghai. The index evaluates airports based on key metrics including flight frequency, destination diversity, geographic location, market size, economic indicators, quality of air connectivity, airline network integration, and overall traveler experience. Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Company, said the ranking marks a significant milestone for KAIA, reflecting the airport's growing regional and global role in aviation. He noted that the achievement is the result of sustained efforts to enhance connectivity and expand the airport's global reach in line with the company's strategic vision. Johar reaffirmed the company's commitment to operational excellence and expanding KAIA's role as a global aviation hub. This includes further developing air connectivity routes, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the overall passenger experience in line with Saudi Arabia's ambitions to serve as a strategic center in global air transport. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
King Abdulaziz Airport ranks third in Middle East for air connectivity, says ACI
Saudi Gazette report SHANGHAI — King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah ranked third among Middle Eastern airports in the 2024 Asia-Pacific and Middle East Air Connectivity Index, the Airports Council International (ACI) announced during the Air Connectivity 2025 Conference held in Shanghai. The index evaluates airports based on key metrics including flight frequency, destination diversity, geographic location, market size, economic indicators, quality of air connectivity, airline network integration, and overall traveler experience. Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Company, said the ranking marks a significant milestone for KAIA, reflecting the airport's growing regional and global role in aviation. He noted that the achievement is the result of sustained efforts to enhance connectivity and expand the airport's global reach in line with the company's strategic vision. Johar reaffirmed the company's commitment to operational excellence and expanding KAIA's role as a global aviation hub. This includes further developing air connectivity routes, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the overall passenger experience in line with Saudi Arabia's ambitions to serve as a strategic center in global air transport.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Jeddah airport soars to top three in Middle East airport rankings
JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport has secured third place in the 2024 Airport Connectivity Index for the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's ascent as a global aviation hub. The ranking was announced at the Air Connectivity Conference 2025, held in Shanghai, where the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East unveiled its annual index. KAIA followed Dubai International Airport and Qatar's Hamad International Airport in the regional rankings, according to the Saudi Press Agency. This recognition underscores both KAIA's growing operational capacity and Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 goal of transforming the Kingdom into a leading logistics and transportation center. As part of that strategy, Saudi Arabia aims to handle 330 million passengers annually, connect to 250 international destinations, and transport 4.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Co., said the latest ranking reflects the airport's progress in expanding its air network and enhancing connectivity. 'This milestone demonstrates our commitment to operational excellence and aligns with our strategy to establish KAIA as a pivotal global hub,' he said in a statement to SPA. Johar noted that the airport's improved ranking is a result of sustained efforts to boost competitiveness, upgrade infrastructure, and elevate passenger experience in line with national transport goals. KAIA also held the third spot in the 2023 edition of the index, announced during ACI's annual assembly in Riyadh. As part of its long-term development plans, JEDCO is implementing upgrades aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. These enhancements aim to increase KAIA's passenger capacity to 114 million annually by the end of the decade. In 2024, KAIA served 49.1 million passengers — up 14 percent from 2023 — marking the highest annual passenger volume recorded by any airport in the Kingdom. The busiest day was December 31, when over 174,600 passengers passed through the airport. December also set a monthly record, with traffic exceeding 4.7 million passengers. In the Asia-Pacific rankings, Shanghai Pudong International Airport claimed the top spot, followed by Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Hong Kong International Airport was recognized as the most improved airport in terms of connectivity across both regions. Headquartered in Hong Kong with a regional office in Riyadh, ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East represents airports in some of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. The Airport Connectivity Index— developed with PwC in 2023 and refined in its third edition — measures network scale, frequency, destination economic weight, and connection efficiency. According to ACI, air connectivity in the Middle East grew 28 percent year on year, while Asia-Pacific saw a 13 percent increase, reflecting a 14 percent average growth across both regions. These gains signal a robust post-pandemic recovery and the continued momentum of global air travel.
Travel Daily News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
SSP opens new units at King Abdulaziz International Airport
SSP expanded its brand portfolio at King Abdulaziz Airport, Jeddah, introducing global and regional dining concepts aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. SSP has brought a number of new brands to locations across to King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), Jeddah. The move marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy in the region. SSP has worked with a carefully selected suite of outstanding brands, tailoring the mix to the unique requirements of the travelling consumer and the passenger profile of KAIA. The units are located throughout the landside, international and domestic halls of Terminal 1 and post-security in the North Terminal of the airport. The line-up features leading gourmet brands from the region and beyond. These include Café Bateel, which combines Middle Eastern essence with Mediterranean accents, Viennese coffee shop Aïda, and gelato creator Snowflake. Falafel & Friends serves food inspired by the Middle East, YaSalam! will delight lovers of shawarma and The Social Bakery offers pastries perfectly suited to grab and go. Other names instantly recognisable to international travellers that can now be enjoyed at the airport are Pizza Express, Pret A Manger, Brioche Dorée and Crêpeaffaire. The brand line-up also includes a selection of SSP's well-known own brands. Fresh-to-go concept Soul + Grain, Camden food co. and Ritazza ensure a robust offering of food and drink to take away. Patamar, developed by SSP, serves dishes with roots in the Middle East and India, and the Indian theme continues at Jaipur. Negroni's hand-thrown pizzas bring a dash of Italian style whileJed2Fly, a concept developed specifically for KAIA, has a focus on speed and convenience giving guests everything they need to take on board their flight. Local Jeddah favourite The Social Kitchen will join the first Jamie Oliver's Kitchen in Saudi Arabia in completing the ambitious opening programme with those outlets opening later in 2025. Commenting on the openings, Mark Angela, CEO for SSP Eastern Europe and Middle East said: 'We are delighted to have opened such a significant and strong business in King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. The brand mix we have created, drawing from our extensive portfolio of some of the world's most exciting names, is exceptional, and we're certain it will delight travellers passing through KAIA. It's gratifying to have brought Pret A Manger to Saudi Arabia for the first time, and also introduced airport guests to Aïda, Snowflake and Crêpeaffaire. This new offer is a testament to our commitment to deliver the best part of the journey to guests, globally. 'The projects align strongly with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the country's economy and promote tourism, hospitality, and entertainment. As SSP continues to grow in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region, we're looking forward to making an even greater contribution to its evolving culinary landscape.'
Leaders
25-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
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
