GACA contributes to the growth of domestic tourism in the southern regions

August 22, 2020

The southern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands out as one of the tourist attractions that characterize the Kingdom. The southern region has lots of tourist potentials that have made it a tourist destination for those who enjoy its charming atmosphere in which the white clouds embrace the towering mountains and through which panoramic images are unmatched above the high peaks of the Sarawat mountain range. The tourists prefers the southern region, where they can wander between its valleys and rural plains. They can wander through its distinctive forests and abundant trees. Adventure enthusiasts have many activities and events in the region, including climbing the tops of its great mountains to witness its picturesque landscapes, in addition to visiting the historical and archaeological villages and their distinctive mud houses, where tourism in the southern region combines the originality of the past and the nobility of the present.

From this standpoint, the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) has provided a seating capacity for the southern airports with the aim of connecting all regions of the Kingdom by air. This has contributed to meeting the growing demand for travel and for the development of tourism and economic movement in the southern region. The official statistics issued by GACA during the year 2019 were recorded in tourist areas, in which the number of passengers traveling through Abha International Airport reached (4,368,153) passengers, while the number of flights reached (35,027) flights. In contrast, the number of passengers at King Saud Airport in Al-Baha last year reached (441,601) passengers, while the number of flights reached  Air (4.136) flight.

GACA has worked on many development projects on Abha International Airport during the past period, with the aim of accommodating the great growth in air transport demand from residents of the region and visitors alike. Thus raising the level of quality of services provided to travelers and airport visitors. Development projects included expanding the departure terminal at Abha Airport at an area of ​​805 square meters and a capacity of 309 passengers. This in addition to the expansion of the arrival terminal, which reached an area of ​​1030 square meters, with a capacity of 340 passengers. Moreover, two gates were added, one for departure and another for arrival, and a baggage conveyor belt. This in addition to 12 check-in counters. The flight information display systems screens were replaced, moreover the installation of electronic gates in the departure terminals. The main runway was rehabilitated and improved, and a project to increase the number of aircraft parking bays to 13. This in addition to the rehabilitation of the current runway to accommodate wide-body aircrafts, and the expansion of the Taxiway to 45 meters.

GACA has also previously signed a contract for the new King Saud Airport project in Al-Baha, and through this project GACA seeks to raise the efficiency of its operation and raise the percentage of expected flights domestically and internationally. GACA also keen to develop the infrastructure and raise the level of services provided to travelers, in addition to applying the best international standards and specifications for the project. The project contains a new travel terminal that can accommodate both domestic and international operation, and with a capacity of more than one million passengers annually.

It is worth noting, that these projects come within the network of projects implemented by GACA according to its strategic plan that is in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. A vision that aims to achieve a sustainable development of the national economy by developing the infrastructure and raising the level of services provided to travelers throughout the Kingdom's airports. Furthermore, the continuous endeavor to develop and expand domestic and international airports to the highest of standards to keep pace with the continuous growth in passenger traffic in the cities around the Kingdom. Moreover, to equip and develop the infrastructure for the aviation sector and to provide the best services to travelers.