Latest news with #KingKhalidAirport
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Total number of passengers at Saudi airports jumps 15% to over 128mln in 2024
RIYADH — The total number of people traveled through the airports across Saudi Arabia exceeded 128 million during the year 2024, and this figure marks a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. According to the Air Transport Statistics Publication 2024, published by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on Sunday, there has been a notable increase in both passenger and air cargo traffic at the Kingdom's airports last year compared to 2023. The number of International flight passengers surpassed 69 million, representing a 14 percent rise from 2023, while domestic flight passengers exceeded 59 million, an increase of 16 percent from the same year. King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah topped the list in terms of passenger numbers, receiving around 49 million passengers with a growth rate of 14 percent, followed by King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, which handled 37.6 million passengers with an 18 percent increase. King Fahd International Airport, Dammam came third, serving 12.8 million passengers with a 15percent increase. The average daily number of domestic flight passengers at the Kingdom's airports reached approximately 162,000, while the average number for international flights stood at around 189,000. Regarding air cargo, total cargo volumes reached 1.2 million tons in 2024, recording a 34 percent increase compared to 2023. March was the peak month for cargo traffic, with a total of 123,000 tons. The cargo volumes were distributed as follows: 64,000 tons of outbound cargo, 720,000 tons of inbound cargo, and 407,000 tons of transit cargo. The total number of aircraft in the Kingdom's fleet reached 361, representing an 11percent increase compared to 2023. Commercial aviation fleet recorded the highest share, with 258 aircraft, an increase of 12 percent over 2023, and a capacity of more than 250 passengers, totaling 97 aircraft. Meanwhile, the general aviation fleet included 103 aircraft, marking a 7 percent increase. As part of efforts to develop the air transport industry, the publication is released annually by GASTAT to provide accurate data and indicators on the Kingdom's air transport system, including passenger movement, flights, and cargo operations across both commercial and general aviation sectors. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Brit dad-of-four facing jail in Saudi Arabia over a TWEET after being snatched by cops at airport while on hols
A BRIT dad-of-four is facing a lengthy prison sentence in a Saudi slammer after he was snatched by cops for making a social media post. Ahmed al-Doush, a senior business analyst at Bank of America, was on holiday with his family in the Arab Kingdom at the time of his dramatic arrest last August. 5 5 5 He was taken away by plain clothes officers whilst preparing to fly home to the UK from King Khalid Airport, Riyadh, according to The Guardian. The Manchester man has not yet met his own baby son Youssef - who was born in December during the Sudan-born dad's detention. His wife Amaher Nour was pregnant with their fourth child at the time of the arrest. But the brave dad insisted she and their other three children board the flight back without him. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah have reportedly discussed the case. Nour told The Times that when authorities approached him, they thought there was a problem with his visa. She said her husband called her from security and "told me to fly with the children on to Turkey". He told his wife: "I'll be with you shortly." When the confused family finally touched down in Manchester, only then were they informed that Ahmed had been locked up in Saudi Arabia. He was reportedly blocked from having any communication with his own family for nearly three months, until November 17. Brit arrested in Trump immigration crackdown as she's 'locked up in US prison' In November he appeared in a Saudi court for the first time, before he was allowed a visit from British consulate officials. The Foreign Office have reportedly been refused access to the trial, but it is believed that they did have access to Ahmed's most recent hearing. The Sun reached out to the Foreign Office to confirm this. NGO Reprieve are representing the holidaymaker, a group who have previously campaigned for abolishing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. The organisation sent a letter to Lammy and the Foreign Office reportedly replied that while Ahmed's detention was difficult for the family, the department "cannot interfere in another country's legal processes". They added that they "must respect their systems" and could not "get British nationals out of jail". Ahmed is set to face court on Monday - but shockingly his UK lawyer Haydee Dijkstal said that it is still unclear what exactly he is being charged with. She added that the timeline of accusations was also unclear. Ahmed is believed to have made a since-deleted Tweet about the war in Sudan, his home country. Saudi Arabia's most draconian laws The most infamous case of Saudi Arabia's draconian laws is that of Raif Badawi - a blogger who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam". The Arab Kingdom still enforces the death penalty - in 2022, 196 people were executed. And on March 12 that year, 81 people were executed in one single day. Women and girls still face discrimination in regard to the law. The male guardianship act was enshrined into law in 2022, and means that women must have a "male legal guardian". The Arab Kingdom consistently cracks down on the press, controlling domestic media and jailing journalists for a variety of "crimes". Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 by agents of the Saudi government. LGBT rights are not legally recognised in the country. They are labelled as "extremist ideas", with public displays of affection between couples outlawed. Protests and demonstrations are also illegal. Those who defy this ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. Sudan have provided military support to Saudi Arabia, for its ongoing conflict against Yemen. But Ahmed's X account has not posted about Saudi Arabia - and he only boasts a humble 37 followers. It is thought that the Saudis may have objected to his friendship with the son of a Saudi dissident. Ahmed's family however said that the two did not discuss politics. Nour told The Times: "The night times are the hardest for me when I'm alone and it's quiet." It was previously reported that the detained dad was being granted a single phone call at 6am every Wednesday with his wife. During these brief catch-ups he was instructed by prison guards not to talk about his hearings or the conditions he was experiencing in jail. Ahmed's lawyer Dijkstal told The Guardian: "Under international law, a detained person has the right to be promptly informed of both the reasons for arrest and continued detention and of the charges. "This obligation not only means that the state must inform the detained person of the law and provision under which they are charged, but also the facts and evidence that form the charge." 5 5
Leaders
04-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
GACA Opens Doors for Foreign Charter Operators in Saudi Arabia
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced a significant policy change for domestic air travel, permitting foreign private aviation firms to operate domestic charter flights within Saudi Arabia. Effective January 5, 2025, international operators meeting GACA's criteria may now apply for licenses, dismantling decades-old cabotage restrictions. The authority aims to promote competitive practices in the domestic aviation market. Boosting Competition and Investment GACA's Executive Vice President for Strategy, Eng. Mohammed Al-Khuraisi, emphasized this reform aligns with the General Aviation Roadmap launched in May 2024. The roadmap targets a tenfold GDP increase for the sector, aiming for $2 billion by 2030 while creating 35,000 jobs. By opening domestic routes to global players, GACA seeks to enhance market flexibility, attract foreign capital, and position Saudi Arabia as a leading aviation hub. To support this vision, GACA plans to build six dedicated general aviation airports and nine private passenger terminals. Jubail Airport will join this network, part of a broader infrastructure overhaul to streamline private jet services. The private aircraft sector recorded a 24% growth in 2024, reaching over 23,600 total flights and significant domestic increases, with Riyadh's King Khalid Airport and Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport leading growth at 22% and 30%, respectively. Domestic flights for private jets surged by 26%, driving improved connectivity and energizing the kingdom's overall aviation ecosystem remarkably. Aligning with Vision 2030 The policy shift hastens Saudi Arabia's $100 billion aviation investment, privatizing Abha and Taif airports while expanding cargo logistics capabilities. GACA's General Manager for Aviation, Imtiyaz Manzary, said reform will optimize empty-leg flights and boost Saudi connectivity for business, tourism. The Kingdom's aviation sector is soaring with domestic private flights rising. By fostering competition and global partnerships, GACA ensures Saudi skies remain dynamic, innovative, and pivotal to regional economic transformation. GACA's bold initiatives empower domestic travelers and revolutionize the kingdom's aviation landscape with dynamic growth and sustainable innovation remarkably fast. Short link : Post Views: 1
