King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam — officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest airport by land area — has introduced an advanced Category III Instrument Landing System (ILS), becoming the first airport in Saudi Arabia to implement such cutting-edge navigation technology.

The new system allows aircraft to land automatically even in heavy fog and low-visibility conditions, improving flight reliability, safety, and overall operational efficiency, Impact Newswire’s Faustine Ngila reported.

The upgrade is part of a massive USD 426.5 million investment package covering 77 infrastructure projects designed to elevate the airport’s capacity and service standards. Passenger demand has been rising rapidly — by the end of 2024, KFIA recorded a 35% increase in travelers compared to 2022. The airport’s master plan aims to handle over 19.3 million passengers annually by 2030, nearly double its 2022 figures.

Eastern Province Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz presided over the inauguration of the new ILS system and the General Aviation Terminal earlier this week. The launch marks a significant advancement in the airport’s modernization program and aligns with the Kingdom’s broader aviation development goals.

The newly opened General Aviation Terminal, covering more than 23,000 square meters, is designed to enhance passenger convenience and streamline services for private and business aviation. It features dedicated aircraft parking for four jets across a 12,415-square-meter area, as well as 6,665 square meters of parking and support space for ground operations — all aimed at providing a seamless travel experience that meets international standards.

The airport’s western runway also underwent a major transformation — now stretching 4,000 meters with an equal-length taxiway — and is outfitted with more than 3,200 high-tech lighting units integrated into a single control system. These improvements expand KFIA’s ability to accommodate larger aircraft and higher traffic volumes, supporting Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), said the new systems and facilities reflect the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s status as a global logistics hub that connects three continents and as a top destination for business and tourism. He noted that GACA continues to strengthen the sector by reforming regulations to attract global operators such as Universal Aviation, which now manages the general aviation terminals at both KFIA and Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hassany, CEO of Dammam Airports Company (DACO), described the projects as “a transformative leap for Saudi aviation,” crediting the collaboration between GACA, Saudi Airports Holding Company, DACO, the National Center for Meteorology, and Saudi Air Navigation Services for ensuring full operational readiness from day one.

DACO oversees three airports in the Eastern Province — King Fahd International, Al-Ahsa International, and Qaisumah Airport in Hafar Al-Batin.

Gregory Evans, Chairman of Universal Weather and Aviation, said the new General Aviation Terminal introduces the Kingdom’s first dedicated, climate-controlled private hangars, providing secure storage for business jets. He added that similar facilities are under development in Riyadh and Jeddah, noting that Dammam’s rapid project execution made it the first to open.

“The team at Dammam worked incredibly fast,” Evans said. “We’re running three projects simultaneously — in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam — but Dammam finished first.”

These developments feed into Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy, which aims to raise KFIA’s aircraft movement capacity to 77 per hour and its passenger throughput to 32 million annually. Air cargo operations are also projected to surge to 600,000 tons per year — a tenfold jump — positioning KFIA as a leading logistics gateway for the region. The airport recorded a 16.2% increase in passenger traffic in 2023 alone, highlighting the strong momentum behind its growth.

Together, the new ILS system, expanded terminals, and upgraded runways mark a decisive step toward the Kingdom’s goal of building a world-class aviation network that supports economic growth, trade, and global connectivity under Vision 2030.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 31.5 million passengers during the first half of 2026, as airline capacity gradually recovered and passenger demand strengthened during the second quarter.

Passenger traffic increased steadily through Q2, rising from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and 5 million in June.

Despite regional airspace restrictions affecting operations during the first six months, the return of international airlines, improved connectivity and stronger load factors pointed to resilient demand across key markets.

DXB handled 13 million passengers in the second quarter, bringing first-half traffic to 31.5 million, down 31.3% year on year.

Aircraft movements reached 150,600 during the first half, a 32.1% decline compared with the same period in 2025. By the end of June, the airport was served by nearly 50 international airlines, connecting passengers to 217 destinations across 99 countries.

Cargo volumes totalled 751,340 tonnes, down 28.7% year on year, while the airport processed 30.3 million bags, a 28% decline.

Despite the challenging operating environment, DXB maintained strong passenger service performance. 98.98% of departing passengers completed passport control within 10 minutes, while 98.95% of arriving passengers cleared passport control within 15 minutes. Meanwhile, 99.34% of passengers passed through security within five minutes.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said the first half of the year tested the aviation system but demonstrated its resilience, adding that the airport is well positioned to accommodate returning demand as airline capacity recovers.

Looking ahead, Dubai Airports expects stronger momentum during the second half, supported by recovering airline networks and frequencies, increasing international transfer traffic, easing travel advisories, the winter schedule and Dubai’s busy calendar of business, leisure and sporting events.

DXB is also continuing investments in passenger facilities, biometric systems, self-service options, operational technology and passenger-flow improvements to enhance the airport experience.

Source: WAM

Sharjah Airport recorded a significant increase in passenger traffic during the peak summer travel period from August 10 to 16, handling more than 390,000 passengers as travelers returned from holidays ahead of the new academic year.

Arriving passengers exceeded 175,000, while departing passengers reached approximately 151,000. The airport also recorded more than 66,000 transit passengers during the week.

Sharjah Airport handled 1,175 arriving and 1,175 departing flights, serving more than 100 international destinations and reinforcing its role as a regional hub for passenger and air cargo connectivity.

The highest daily passenger movement was recorded on August 15, when the airport handled 48,859 arriving and departing passengers, including 25,251 arrivals and 23,608 departures.

The busiest destinations during the week were Cairo, Doha, Dhaka and Amman, reflecting strong demand for travel to key regional and international markets.

The airport said the figures highlight the effectiveness of its preparations for the peak summer season. Sharjah Airport had expected to handle around three million passengers and 19,000 flight movements during July and August.

An integrated operational plan, implemented in coordination with strategic partners, was put in place to accommodate rising passenger volumes, maintain smooth operations and strengthen readiness across airport teams.

Source: WAM

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim Region has expanded its air connectivity network to 18 domestic and international destinations served by 16 airlines, providing travelers with more options to destinations across Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Domestic destinations include Riyadh, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha, while international services connect Qassim with cities including Kuwait, Cairo, Islamabad, Istanbul, Manama, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Sohag, Multan, Khartoum and Giza.

Khartoum was recently added to the airport’s international network through Tarco Aviation, with one weekly one-way service.

The expansion reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Qassim’s international air connectivity, respond to growing passenger demand and provide travelers with broader and more convenient flight options.

The airport is also continuing to build partnerships with international airlines as part of efforts to enhance the passenger experience and support the wider development of Saudi Arabia’s aviation network

Source: SPA

Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) has awarded a contract to develop an automated people mover (APM) system for the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport, creating what is expected to be the world’s largest airport transit system of its kind.

The contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), its Dubai-based subsidiary MHI Mobility Engineering Services (MHI-MESC), and Indian engineering group Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

The APM network will extend approximately 50 kilometers and connect nine stations, making it significantly larger than existing airport people-mover systems.

MHI and MHI-MESC will oversee the design, procurement and testing of 165 vehicles, as well as signaling technology and overall system integration. L&T will be responsible for designing, procuring, testing and constructing the remaining subsystems on site.

The project is scheduled for completion in December 2031.

The scale of Dubai’s planned system will surpass existing airport transit networks, including the approximately 8-kilometer Skylink at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and The Plane Train at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The APM network will connect Al Maktoum International Airport’s terminals and key facilities, helping improve passenger movement, reduce transfer times and support efficient airport operations.

The project forms part of Dubai’s broader plans to develop Al Maktoum International into one of the world’s largest aviation hubs. The airport is targeted to begin operations in 2032 and is ultimately expected to handle up to 260 million passengers annually.

The planned expansion is designed to accommodate growing regional and international air traffic while strengthening Dubai’s position as a major global aviation hub.

Source: Khaleej Times