Saudi Arabia has kicked off a major initiative to restructure its aviation sector, which includes projects to restructure the existing infrastructure facilities and implement several new projects in the aviation sector, a senior government minister said.
Besides new projects at the country’s flagship King Salman International Airport project, the initiative will also see projects to upgrade the arrival lounges at various airports, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette.
The transportation and logistics strategy, launched by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, included restructuring of the aviation sector, transitioning from the sole national operator model to one based on two major national carriers, Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics, said.
This ensures that King Salman Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport are connected to all countries around the world, as well as to all airports within the Kingdom, Al-Jasser told Al-Ekhbariya.
The other airports where projects are currently underway include Jazan, Hail, Al-Jouf and Taif, the minister said.
Al-Jasser said the aviation sector strategy, which is part of the national strategy for transportation and logistics, also represents a comprehensive plan that includes the two main airlines – Riyadh Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines, in addition to other airline companies such as Flyadeal, Flynas, and others.
The minister said the comprehensive development strategy has contributed to increasing the number of destinations connected to the Kingdom’s airports from 100 to 172.
It has also contributed to the current renaissance in the Kingdom’s aviation sector and attracted investment, the minister said.
