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August 22, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) released its July report on the performance of Saudi Arabia's domestic and international airports. The report evaluates airports based on 11 operational performance standards that align with strategic objectives to enhance services and ensure a seamless traveler experience. The report highly ranked King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Abha International Airport, Qaisumah International Airport, and Qurayyat Airport. GACA categorizes airports into five categories for performance evaluation based on annual passenger numbers to ensure transparency. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah secured the top spot in the category of airports with more than 15 million passengers annually, with an 82% compliance rate. Following closely behind was King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 82%, with King Abdulaziz International Airport outperformed King Khalid International Airport in terms of achieving the standards. In the category of international airports serving 5 to 15 million passengers annually, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah ranked first with a 91% compliance rate. Similarly, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam also achieved a 91% compliance rate. However, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport outperformed King Fahd International Airport in terms of meeting the standards. In the annual passenger category of 2 to 5 million, Abha International Airport ranked first with a 100% compliance rate, while King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan came in second, also with a 100% compliance rate. Abha International Airport outperformed King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan in terms of meeting the standards. In the category of airports with less than 2 million passengers annually, Qaisumah International Airport ranked first with a 100% compliance rate, surpassing its competitors in average waiting time for departing and arriving flights. Qurayyat Airport secured the top spot in the fifth category of domestic airports with a 100% compliance rate, outperforming all other airports in terms of average waiting times for departing and arriving flights. GACA assesses airport performance using 11 key performance indicators. These include passenger waiting times at check-in counters, time spent at baggage carousels, passport control, customs areas, standards for people with disabilities, and other standards based on international best practices.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued the classification index for air transport service providers and airports to inform passengers about their performance and help them make informed choices. The assessment is based on the number of complaints filed with GACA by travellers. According to GACA, 1422 complaints were filed by travellers on Saudi air carriers in July. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) had the fewest complaints among the airlines, 25 per 100,000 travellers, and a complaint resolution rate of 100%. Flynas came in second, with 27 complaints per 100,000 travellers and a resolution rate of 100%. Flyadeal came in third with 34 complaints per 100,000 travellers and a resolution rate of 99%. The most common complaints in July were about luggage, flights, and tickets. According to the report, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had a remarkably low complaint rate of 0.4% per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate, despite serving over 6 million annual passengers. With less than 6 million annual passengers, Hail International Airport had a complaint rate of 1% per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate. Bisha Airport had the lowest complaints among domestic airports, with a complaint rate of 3% per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate. These low complaint rates testify to the high quality of service these airports provide. GACA reiterated that the monthly classification report aims to help passengers make informed choices, promote transparency, demonstrate its credibility and keenness to deal with travellers' complaints, stimulate fair competition, and develop and improve services. According to the authority, multiple communication channels are kept open around the clock to enable interaction with travellers and airport visitors. They are: Call Center number 1929, WhatsApp service at 0115253333, email: gaca-info@gaca.gov.sa, social media accounts, and GACA's website. Through these channels, the authority receives complaints concerning boarding passes, employee behavior, and services for persons with disabilities and limited mobility. In support of its partnering airports, GACA prepared a booklet containing guidelines on handling traveller complaints. The booklet, which was circulated among airport operators, sets out service agreements and the rules for all types of complaints and inquiries. The authority also trains, through regularly held workshops, employees of national airlines and ground service companies that deal directly with travellers on how to comply with passenger protection regulations.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), represented by the committee responsible for reviewing violations of the Civil Aviation Law provisions, issued its report for the second quarter of 2024. The report included the issuance of 111 violations, imposing financial fines exceeding 4.5 million Riyals on entities and individuals violating the Civil Aviation Law, its executive regulations, and the instructions issued by the authority. The report showed that 111 violations were issued, including 92 violations against air carriers for breaching the Passenger Rights Protection Regulation, with fines amounting to 4.4 million Riyals. Additionally, 5 other violations were issued against air carriers for non-compliance with the authority’s systems and instructions, with total fines of 140,000 Riyals. Furthermore, 2 violations were issued against licensed companies for not adhering to the instructions issued by the authority in practicing their licensed activities, with total fines amounting to 30,000 Riyals. The report also revealed that the committee issued 12 violations against individuals, including 10 violations detected onboard aircraft, with total fines amounting to 3,900 Riyals. Additionally, 2 violations related to the use of drones without authorization from the authority were issued, with total fines amounting to 10,000 Riyals. The authority clarified that these measures are part of its keenness to achieve transparency and clarity, confirming its ongoing commitment to its regulatory and supervisory role in the aviation sector, improving passenger experience, and enhancing the quality of air transport services in the Kingdom.

This news article is available only in the Arabic version.

July 29, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) concluded its participation in the Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week (AFI Week 2024) conference, hosted by Gabon’s capital city of Libreville. AFI Week 2024 aimed to continue developing strategies and measures necessary to support and enhance the aviation industry on the continent. GACA, represented by Executive Vice President of Air Transport and International Cooperation Ali bin Mohammed Rajab, announced during his speech at the opening ceremony that the Kingdom has allocated $150,000 to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan) and the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SECFAL Plan). Rajab noted that the initiative aims to enhance security and safety levels in air transport. The amount, he said, is part of the $1 million donation made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the ICAO's No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative. He also indicated that the Kingdom is one of the largest supporters of international organizations and a pioneer in supporting the aviation industry. Moreover, he stressed that the Kingdom is continuously committed to contributing to the growth of this industry, aiming to enhance its performance. On the sidelines of AFI Week 2024, Gabon Vice President Joseph Berre received the Saudi ambassador to Gabon, Faraj bin Nader, and GACA's Rajab in Libreville. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, areas of cooperation, and ways to enhance and develop them in the field of civil aviation between the two countries. In a separate meeting, Rajab met with African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Secretary-General Adefunke Adeyemi, discussing ways to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and AFCAC in various fields of civil aviation.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) authorized Air Samarkand to commence flights for passengers from Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia during the summer season of 2024. The Uzbek airline will operate two weekly flights from Samarkand to Jeddah in a step that aligns with GACA’s ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity between the Kingdom and the world. Such efforts are part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistical hub and open new horizons for travel, in line with the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy.