Latest news with #GACA
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Over 19mln passengers transported by air during Hajj
The Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the implementation of its operational plan for the Hajj season, revealing that over 19 million passengers and pilgrims were transported by air through more than 128,000 flights. The extensive operation took place between April 29 and July 10, 2025, and involved the participation of 116 air carriers from around the world, reported SPA. GACA confirmed that more than 1.4 million pilgrims arrived at six major international airports across the Kingdom, utilising 12 dedicated departure terminals. The achievement was made possible through the close coordination of over 25 government, security, and operational entities, supported by a workforce of more than 18,000 male and female employees. Their efforts ensured a seamless and efficient travel experience for the pilgrims, in line with Saudi Arabia's long-standing commitment to facilitating the Hajj journey. These accomplishments were highlighted during a ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, under the patronage of GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. The event honored the various entities that contributed to the success of the operational plans for the Hajj and Umrah seasons. Among the key services that stood out this year was the 'Passengers with No Bags' initiative, which aimed to streamline the pilgrim journey by managing luggage transport directly from airports to pilgrims' places of residence. The number of beneficiaries surpassed one million, with more than 1.6 million pieces of luggage transported. Additionally, the initiative facilitated the pre-shipment of over 856,000 bottles of Zamzam water. Another milestone was the initiative to connect Hajj flights with the Haramain High Speed Railway, in partnership with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). This initiative enabled 253,000 pilgrims to travel comfortably and efficiently between the airports and the holy sites, improving the overall transportation experience and reducing congestion on traditional ground routes. GACA also played a key role in the Ministry of Interior's 'Makkah Route' initiative, one of the flagship programs under the broader 'Pilgrims Experience Program' within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. GACA designated six international airports to receive pilgrims: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Yanbu, Taif International Airport, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The latter two served as key hubs for connecting pilgrims' flights. In close coordination with relevant government agencies, the air transport system worked diligently to ensure the highest levels of operational efficiency throughout the Hajj season. The authority participated as a member of the supervisory committee and designated special terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah for the reception of pilgrims arriving through the initiative. Flights were carefully scheduled to avoid overlapping arrivals, contributing to a streamlined entry process. Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Gulf Business
21-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia launches $426m airport upgrade in Eastern Province
Image: Saudi Press Agency Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has inaugurated the new identity and master plan for King Fahd International Airport, along with the master plans for Al-Ahsa and Al-Qaisumah international airports. The announcement was made during a ceremony that also saw the launch of the Dammam Airports Strategy and a comprehensive package of infrastructure and development initiatives. Valued at more than SAR1.6bn ($426m), the package includes 77 projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience. As part of the launch, the governor announced a new national low-cost airline, Air Arabia, which will be based at King Fahd International Airport. The carrier is expected to serve 24 domestic and 57 international destinations. He also inaugurated newly installed electronic gates to streamline passenger processing at the airport. Read: The event was attended by Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saleh Al-Jasser; GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej; and Director General of Passports, Major General Dr. Saleh Al-Murabba. Passenger intake The strategic development plan for King Fahd International Airport aims to accommodate more than 19.3 million passengers annually by 2030, more than double the number recorded in 2022. It also targets a significant expansion in air cargo handling, increasing capacity to over 600,000 tonnes per year—a 1,000 per cent increase—as part of the airport's transformation into a regional logistics hub aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Planned upgrades include boosting the airport's operational capacity to manage 77 aircraft movements per hour and raising annual passenger handling capacity to 32 million. Additional improvements are planned for general aviation facilities and supporting infrastructure to meet global standards. By the end of 2024, King Fahd International Airport had recorded a 35 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to 2022.
Mint
20-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Air Arabia announces new low-cost airline, plans a 45-aircraft fleet by 2030. Check details
United Arab Emirates (UAE)- based airline company Air Arabia announced on Sunday, 20 July 2025, that it has received approval from Saudi Arabia to establish a new low-cost carrier, according to an official social media post. The company also disclosed that the new low-cost carrier will be based in Dammam, a major city in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. 'We're proud to announce that Air Arabia has been awarded to establish a new low-cost airline based in Dammam by Saudi Arabia's @ksagaca. We thank #GACA for their trust and support. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new venture!' said the company in a social media post on platform X. A low-cost carrier is a stripped-down version of a traditional full-service airline. The service provider does not include additional services in the ticket fare, resulting in cheap flight booking rates. This business model is used in the aviation sector around the world, helping airlines connect people from one city to another at an affordable rate. A low-cost carrier usually has stricter baggage policies, and food and drinks are not complimentary or included in the ticket price. If a passenger wants to opt for one or more services, this extra service comes at an added cost. The local news portal Gulf News reported that Air Arabia plans to launch a 45-aircraft fleet by the year 2030. The report also cited the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, which stated that the UAE-based carrier was among an alliance of three other companies that won the bid to operate the new low-cost airline. Media reports suggest that the new low-cost carrier will operate both domestic and international flights to and from the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The flight operator aims to cater to 24 domestic routes and 57 international routes and transport 10 million passengers every year. The local news portal also reported that the launch of the low-cost airline is expected to create more than 2,400 direct job opportunities and raise the service quality across the Saudi Arabian aviation market.
Leaders
20-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Three Companies to Operate New Low-Cost Saudi Airline from Dammam
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) unveiled that an alliance of three companies won a bid to operate a new Saudi national low-cost airline, according to Reuters. GACA announced that Air Arabia, Kun Investment Holding and Nesma would operate domestic and international flights from King Fahd international airport in Dammam. Therefore, the new airline will further foster air connectivity for the Eastern Region, increase seat capacity as well as offer competitive travel options for passengers. Crucially, the new flights seek to serve 57 international destinations and 24 local destinations by 2030. Through a fleet of 45 aircrafts, the airline aspires to carry approximately 10 million passengers per year while creating more than 2,400 job opportunities. To achieve the goals of the Aviation Program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, #GACA announces that «AirArabia Alliance» has won as the new low-cost national carrier at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, with the aim of enhancing air connectivity in the… — هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) July 20, 2025 Launched in 2003, Air Arabia is a low-cost airline based in Sharjah, UAE. Currently, it operates a fleet of nearly 60 Airbus A320s and flies to more than 170 destinations across 30+ countries, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe. The new milestone marks the first time for Air Arabia to co-operate a Saudi-licensed carrier. Established in 2018 in Jeddah, Kun Investment Holding Company (KIH) has rapidly emerged as one of Saudi Arabia's prominent investment houses. Its investment portfolio features real estate, construction, healthcare services, tourism and leisure, integrated solutions, as well as the health and fitness sectors. Nesma Group stands out as a diversified Saudi enterprise with a background in aviation and infrastructure, gained through its former airline operations. Related Topics: Flynas to Begin Direct Flights to Damascus on June 5 Syria Resumes Direct Flights with UAE King Khalid Airport Welcomes First China Eastern Flights Short link : Post Views: 14
Gulf Insider
20-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE's Air Arabia To Co-Launch Saudi Low-Cost Airline Flying 81 Routes From Dammam Hub
Saudi Arabia is launching a new national low-cost airline, with operations based out of King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, as part of a broader push to transform the Kingdom into a regional aviation hub. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced that a consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia, Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Holding, has won the bid to operate the new carrier. The airline will begin operations with a fleet of 45 aircraft, covering 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, and aims to serve 10 million passengers annually. This expansion is part of Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a key component of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and enhance the Kingdom's competitiveness in transport, logistics, and tourism. According to GACA, the new low-cost airline will enhance air connectivity to and from the Eastern Province, improve operational efficiency, and boost seat availability at King Fahd International Airport. The airline is also expected to create more than 2,400 direct jobs and raise service quality across Saudi Arabia's growing aviation market. Air Arabia's inclusion in the consortium reflects its expanding regional footprint and aligns with its strategy of entering high-growth partnerships to serve underserved routes. This latest venture positions the Dammam airport as a growing hub for affordable air travel and supports the Kingdom's goal of moving 100 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.
