RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced Monday the start of the trial operation phase of the new Arar airport. The first arrival and departure flights from Riyadh Monday evening to the new airport terminal will begin the trial operation phase. The flights will be operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines.

GACA stated that during the trial operation of the new Arar airport, a number of flights will gradually be increased. The airport will eventually connect more destinations in the coming weeks through Saudi Arabian Airlines from Riyadh and Jeddah, with flynas operating flights from Dammam.

GACA President Abdulhadi Al Mansouri extended his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, for the unlimited support and attention given to the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom.

He also thanked Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Sultan, governor of the Northern Borders Region, for his continuous and constant follow-up of the project, till its completion and making sure all the airport’s operational requirements are put in place. Al Mansouri also valued the follow-up and directions of Transport Minister and Chairman of GACA Eng. Saleh Al Jasser.

Al Mansouri stressed that the start of the trial operations of the new Arar airport, which comes within the vision and strategy of GACA in building and developing a modern airport system with modern and advanced services, are compatible with the goals and strategy of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims toward the contribution of supporting and developing the national economy.

Al Mansouri explained that the trial operation is one of the most important mechanisms adopted globally before any airport is fully operational. The method is a scientific and a practical approach that is adopted when implementing most important infrastructure projects around the world. This allows for the testing of vital facilities and the efficiency of their operation in a safe and secure manner, while focusing on testing all the operational systems and at the same time identifying and remedying any technical problems that might occur prior to it becoming fully operational.

The new Arar airport will be able to accommodate more than 1,039,000 passengers annually, and the capacity for air traffic will reach more than 10,000 flights per annum. The new airport is also considered a qualitative shift in the field of air transport for the Northern Border Region, where it will provide the best technologies and services that will in turn improve the whole traveler experience.

The new Arar airport took into account an environmental dimension in its design, where the exterior design forms the Arabic letter “Ain”, which symbolizes the first letter in the name of the city, as well as the design takes the form of an eye shape itself.

The new airport contains 10 check-in counters, and 6 travel gates, there are two passenger bridges gates in the new terminal that can accommodates 4 planes at one time. There are also 4 gates that serve airplanes parked airside.

The main terminal at the new Arar Airport has an advanced luggage handling system with 2 conveyor belts. In addition it has 12 passport control counters in the arrival area and 8 counters for departure. The main passengers terminal is also equipped with 900 seats.

GACA was keen to implement the new Arar Airport project to improve and provide all services needed for people with special needs. This was accomplished by preparing the main terminal and securing all their needs — from mobile paths to special service counters — whether in the security inspection or the check-in area.

This step was taken by GACA to improve services in all airports around the Kingdom to be friendly airports for people with special needs. GACA is also working to develop a network of international and domestic airports to accommodate the growing demand and the increase in the number of travelers in various airports around the Kingdom, and by building a modern airport system that provides advanced modern services. — SG