GACA issues March report on performance of domestic, international airports

King Khalid International Airport

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued its monthly report on the performance of domestic and international airports in Saudi Arabia for March.

The airports are assessed according to 14 basic performance measurement criteria. This comes in implementation of the strategic directions aimed at enhancing the services provided to travelers, and improving the traveler experience across the Kingdom’s airports, Saudi Press Agency reported.

King Khalid International Airport, King Fahd International Airport, Abha International Airport, Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Airport in Qassim, and Gurayat Domestic Airport occupied top positions in the report.

In application of transparency with regards to evaluating the performance of airports, GACA divides airports performance into five categories.

Among international airports with more than 15 million passengers annually, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport took the first place with a compliance rate of 82%, followed by Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport with 73%.

In the category of international airports with five to 15 million passengers annually, King Fahd International Airport led with a compliance rate of 91%. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport came second with a compliance rate of 82%.

Among international airports with two to five million passengers annually, Abha International Airport took the first place with a 100% compliance rate. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jizan followed with a 73% compliance rate.

In the category of international airports with less than two million passengers, Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Airport in Qassim achieved 100% compliance, outperforming peers in terms of total average waiting time for departure and arrival flights.

For domestic airports, Gurayat Domestic Airport topped with a 100% compliance rate, surpassing peers in terms of total average waiting time for departure and arrival flights.

In evaluating the performance of airports, GACA relies on 14 operational criteria. It measures the airports’ compliance with the targets set for each criterion, based on a standardized method.

The GACA’s performance measurement criteria include, most notably, travel procedures, security and customs checks, document inspection, baggage handling. This is in addition to services for people with disabilities, in accordance with international best practices.