Integrated self-services --- One of the latest technologies arriving at Saudi airports Modern airports technologies contribute to reducing the check-in procedures of the guest of Al Rahman and raise the performance level

July 29, 2019

The new technologies implemented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (KKIA) and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah (PMIA) has contributed in a positive way in facilitating the services provided to the visiting pilgrims in the current Hajj season 1440.  As a result, the check-in procedures time were reduced and the quality of services has been achieved.  Furthermore, certain standards, technical and security practices were perfected.

GACA has applied certain technical solutions to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims.  To do this, GACA has turned lounges in one-way traffic direction, which is currently the arrival mode for the reception of the pilgrims, and then again turn it back into a departure mode, once the time arrives.  The terminal complex capacity can reach 48,000 passengers daily in each direction.

GACA also linked the operating system, especially those dealing with flights scheduling, actual departure, and arrival timing of all airlines with the Hajj Ministry and the company operating the Hajj terminal at KKIA in Jeddah.  This step was taken to exchange data and information to facilitate the pilgrims’ movement according to actual flights date and to avoid congestions at any of the lounges. 

Among the most prominent of these technologies is the replacement of passport control counters with a more advanced and efficient ones.  The rehabilitation of the baggage support area, and the improvement made to the bus routes and to the parking area.  This in addition to the provision of (14) travel lounges, that includes (114) end of procedures counters, (208) passport control counters, (18) travel gates, (10) conveyor belts that span a length of 1180 meters.   A first class lounge for pilgrims continuing on to Madinah, in addition to a parking area designated for buses and can accommodate 100 bus, plus (26) aircraft’s parking bays.

Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah (PMIA) has benefited from the programs and development projects of modern technologies, including the increase of customs inspection units to become (4), and the inclusion of an additional site for customs inspection inside the terminal.  Furthermore, the provision of two service platform to be used by the United agents offices, and to provide services for those who are included in the Makkah Route initiative.  In addition to expansion of the capacity of the customs area to reach (745) square meters.  It is also worth mentioning that (24) self-service counters have been provided, 6 counters for travel documents verifications and (10) counters for self-boarding gates.  This in addition to a designated area for people with disabilities that includes private parking, end-of travel procedures counters in both departure and arrival lounges plus an area designated loading and unloading in front of the main lounge and a waiting area right next to the departure gate.

It is worth noting, that one of the most prominent e-services that were adopted and that will be implemented by GACA in its upcoming development projects, which are currently being implemented to varying degrees in the erections and the developments of a number of airports.  Work is ongoing to continue to simplify work procedures and the reduction of the time required to deal with them.  Some of these services include, “Self-Services at Airports”, where a traveler can complete all travel procedures by themselves, including boarding passes and luggage identification machines, luggage self-check-in machines, scanner for luggage’s at arrival terminals and providing  accurate ways to ensure the arrival all baggage’s and parcel at the designated airport.  This in addition to the installation of electronic gates for the passage of freight vehicles before luggage is eventually emptied at the conveyor belts.

It is worth mentioning that GACA has adopted plans to develop the airport network in the Kingdom, in order to keep pace with the steady increase in air traffic, raise the level of services and achieve the greatest possible geographical converge.  Furthermore, enhance the airports contributions toward the economic growth of the country.

In the field of airports’ modern information technologies, specifically in the digital transformation, GACA is keen on upgrading the infrastructure and the Information Communication Technology (ICT).  GACA is also keen on applying the best technical expertise in field of civil aviation and improve the traveler’s experience, in addition to upgrading the application of special security system when dealing with cyber security according to the best international standards.