King Abdulaziz Airport implements cross-take to improve efficiency

In a move reflecting the rapid development of the Saudi aviation sector, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah announced the activation of Intersection Take-off operations on all three of its runways, after fulfilling all technical standards and obtaining official approval from the General Authority of Civil Aviation . This procedure is a first of its kind among Saudi Arabian airports, placing the airport among the world's leading airports that implement the latest operational practices.

What is cross-start and why is it important?

Cross-take refers to the ability of aircraft to begin takeoff from runway intersections with taxiways, rather than having to go to the end of the runway every time. This precise technical procedure directly reduces the distance the aircraft travels on the ground before takeoff, resulting in significant savings in time and effort, especially during peak operational periods.

The importance of this step stems from the strategic location of King Abdulaziz International Airport as the gateway to the Two Holy Mosques, which experiences high volumes of air traffic, particularly during Hajj and Umrah seasons and summer holidays. Implementing this system will allow air traffic controllers to manage aircraft flow more flexibly, reducing waiting times and increasing the number of flights that can be served per hour.

Sustainable environmental and economic returns

The benefits of this system are not limited to the operational aspect alone, but extend to include important environmental and economic dimensions that are in line with global and local trends:

• Reduced fuel consumption: Reducing ground taxi time means less jet fuel consumption, which saves airlines operating costs.
• Environmental sustainability: Reducing fuel burning contributes to lowering harmful carbon emissions, which is perfectly in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and Jeddah Airports Company’s goals in the field of environmental conservation.
• Improving the passenger experience: Reducing waiting times inside the aircraft before takeoff enhances passenger satisfaction and ensures that flights adhere to their schedules more accurately.

Compliance with the national transport strategy

This achievement comes as an integral part of the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy , launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which aims to reach 330 million passengers annually and connect the Kingdom to 250 global destinations by 2030. Achieving these ambitious figures requires maximizing the operational efficiency of existing airports and utilizing infrastructure intelligently to ensure the accommodation of the increasing growth in air traffic.

The airport administration confirmed that the activation of this service came after ensuring the complete readiness of the infrastructure and navigation systems, and the training of human resources to deal with this type of operation according to the highest international air safety standards, which confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to applying the best global practices in the civil aviation sector.