King Salman opens new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah

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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Transport and Chairman of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi, said the Kingdom's aviation sector contributed to 4.6% of GDP. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
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The King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. (SPA)
Updated 25 September 2019
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King Salman opens new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah

  • The airport is one of the largest in the region
  • It is part of a major plan to put the Kingdom's airports among the world's leading

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman opened and toured a new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The airport is one of the largest in the region, with a total area of ​​810,000 square meters and a capacity of 30 million passengers per year.
During the tour, the king saw a presentation of the details of the airport and on civil aviation in the Kingdom.
The Minister of Transport and Chairman of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi, said that the Kingdom’s civil aviation sector has recently achieved qualitative leaps and creative developments that contributed to 4.6% of GDP. 
Jeddah is the main airport where pilgrims arrive before travelling on to Makkah to perform the religious Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Pilgrims comprise the bulk of Saudi Arabia's 20 million annual foreign visitors, apart from workers and business travellers.
He said, according to indicators by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the number of domestic and international airports doubled to 28 airports. 

“As a result, the number of passengers increased from 47 million passengers in 2010 to 100 million passengers in 2018,” the minister added.
The King Abdulaziz Airport accounted for 36% of the total number of passengers in the Kingdom.
The minister said the “objectives will be extended to contribute to the construction of a logistic platform in the Kingdom linking the three main continents of the world, as the new airport will be able to work pivotally linking East and West, and serves as an intensive collection point for the movement of passengers and goods, to become an influential position among international airports.”
The airport operates flights to three international destinations and 21 domestic ones.
The government has approved plans to issue electronic visas for foreign visitors to attend sporting events and concerts, and is expected to announce details this month. 
Economic reforms aim to make the Kingdom an entertainment destination and a tourism hub. They are also trying to lift domestic and foreign tourism spending to $46.6 billion in 2020 from $27.9 billion in 2015, when the reform plan was announced.


Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle 27.6 kg of cocaine

Updated 07 May 2024
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Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle 27.6 kg of cocaine

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has thwarted an attempt to smuggle into the Kingdom 27.6 kg of cocaine found hidden inside the air conditioner of a shipment of potatoes.

Authorities at Jeddah Islamic Port arrested two individuals who were set to receive the shipment.

In a statement ZATCA said it is “committed to stiffening customs control of the Kingdom’s imports and exports, stressing that it will stay vigilant to thwart smuggling attempts and ensure the protection of the society.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report any drug-related crimes by calling 1910, via e-mail [email protected], or through the international number 00966114208417.


Saudi ministries sign deal to achieve goals in fields of culture, human resources

Updated 07 May 2024
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Saudi ministries sign deal to achieve goals in fields of culture, human resources

  • Move aligns with aims of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi signed a cooperation agreement on Monday aimed at achieving their respective goals.

The agreement will also work to develop human capital in the culture and arts sectors.

It is hoped the partnership will lead to the development of local cultural identity; the growth in local economic interaction; an increase in job opportunities and social development; and the creation of a legislative and regulatory environment that encourages investment and innovation in the cultural sector.

It is expected this will lead to increased economic activity and new job opportunities, targets which form part of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministries will study ways to encourage and motivate the participation of the private sector in developing the culture and arts sectors as part of the agreement.


Inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week to highlight Saudi talent to a global audience, official says

Updated 06 May 2024
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Inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week to highlight Saudi talent to a global audience, official says

  • ‘Initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent,’ says Fashion Commission’s CEO

RIYADH: The head of the Saudi Fashion Commission said on Monday that the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week later this month will highlight the talent in the Kingdom to a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Burak Cakmak, the CEO of the commission, said: “With Red Sea Fashion Week we set out to forge a distinctive and dynamic platform that not only highlights the vast creativity and skill within Saudi Arabia but also elevates our nation as a key player on the global fashion stage.

“This initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent and integrating them into the international arena, resonating deeply with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of enriching our cultural fabric and broadening our economic horizons.”

The first edition of Red Sea Fashion Week, the latest initiative from the Saudi Fashion Commission to promote the Kingdom’s fashion industry, begins on May 16 at the new St. Regis Red Sea Resort. It runs until May 18.

A fashion show will be held on the first day, followed by two days of side events and further shows featuring a collection of luxury fashion, jewelry, ready-to-wear items, and resort wear collections from Saudi and international designers.

Saudi Arabia hosted its first fashion week in 2023 in Riyadh, and hosted a pop-up event in Milan last year on the sidelines of the city’s fashion week.


Saudi crown prince offers condolences to UAE president after death of uncle

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 07 May 2024
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Saudi crown prince offers condolences to UAE president after death of uncle

  • Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday after the recent passing of his uncle Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan.

During a phone call, the crown prince prayed that God forgive the deceased who was the representative of the Abu Dhabi Ruler in Al-Ain Region.

Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet and national literary icon Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen.


Saudi justice minister opens International Conference on Judicial Training

Updated 06 May 2024
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Saudi justice minister opens International Conference on Judicial Training

  • Experts from around world will attend 2-day event in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Saudi justice minister on Monday opened the International Conference on Judicial Training in Riyadh.

Walid Al-Samaani made the opening speech at the two-day event, which has attracted more than 600 experts and 45 speakers from around the world.

He highlighted the strides made by the Kingdom in the judiciary sector since the launch of its Vision 2030 initiative.

He also outlined the ministry’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the judiciary and “pivotal role of training, qualification and legal knowledge management in achieving justice.”

The Judicial Training Center was dedicated to improving the skills of the Kingdom’s judicial and legal personnel through collaborations with its partners and had been instrumental in qualifying judges and training lawyers, judicial assistants and notaries, the minister said.

Al-Samaani also commented on the transformation of the justice system, driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has focused on fortifying legal principles, embedding values of transparency and ensuring legal certainty.

A key area for development was the digital transformation and integration of artificial intelligence, which the ministry was advancing to enhance judicial quality, he said.