The Minister of Transport inspects King Khalid Airport during the peak of Ramadan season

A peak season inspection tour

In a move reflecting the great importance the Saudi leadership places on the transport and logistics sector, His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, conducted an inspection tour of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. This visit comes at a crucial time, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, which typically sees a significant increase in travel, whether for citizens, residents, or pilgrims arriving from around the world. The tour aimed to assess firsthand the smooth flow of passengers and operational processes, and to ensure the application of the highest standards of efficiency and quality to guarantee a comfortable and safe travel experience for all.

Historical background and strategic context

King Khalid International Airport, which opened in 1983, is one of the most important air gateways to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a major gateway to its capital, Riyadh. Over the decades, the airport has undergone continuous development to keep pace with the Kingdom’s economic and population growth. Current development projects, including the redistribution of flights between terminals, are part of a broader strategy aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This ambitious strategy aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents and increase the capacity of Saudi airports to accommodate 330 million passengers annually by 2030.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

During his tour, Engineer Al-Jasser confirmed the successful completion of the "Terminal Transfer" process, which involved redistributing airlines and flights among the airport's various terminals. The importance of this step extends beyond organizational aspects, encompassing numerous positive impacts

• At the local level: This process contributes to raising the operational efficiency of the airport, reducing congestion at peak times, and greatly improving the passenger experience by reducing waiting times and facilitating travel procedures.
• At the regional and international levels, this development enhances King Khalid International Airport's competitiveness as a vital regional aviation hub. Improved connectivity between domestic and international flights attracts more global airlines and transit passengers, supporting the Kingdom's tourism and business sectors.

The Minister was accompanied on his tour by the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailij, the CEO of Airports Holding Company, and the CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, reflecting the high level of coordination and integration among the various entities operating within the air transport system to ensure the success of operational plans. At the conclusion of the tour, the Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all airport staff for their efforts, which resulted in the successful and smooth completion of the transfer process, and affirmed the continued commitment to enhancing the Kingdom's airports' standing on the global map.