Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz tops December airport performance in Saudi Arabia: GACA data 

Jeddah’s KAIA achieved a compliance rate of 91 percent among international airports serving over 15 million passengers annually. Shutterstock
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Updated 16 January 2024
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Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz tops December airport performance in Saudi Arabia: GACA data 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz International Airport outperformed other aviation hubs in the Kingdom for overall performance in December 2023, according to official data.   

A report from the General Authority of Civil Aviation showed that Jeddah’s KAIA achieved a compliance rate of 91 percent among international airports serving over 15 million passengers annually. 

The aviation authority assesses the operational performance of Saudi airbases based on 11 standards tracking passenger experience, including check-in, security, passport, and customs control, alongside assistance for individuals with limited mobility and delays. 

In the same category, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport received a compliance rate of 82 percent, which remained unchanged from November. 

Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport maintained its top spot in the second category, serving between 5 million and 15 million passengers annually.  

It achieved a 91 percent compliance rate in November, unchanged over the previous month. 

Similarly, Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport maintained its rating of 91 percent. 

In the third category for international terminals with an annual passenger count between 2 million and 5 million, Abha International Airport secured the lead with a 100 percent commitment rate, compared to 91 percent in November. 

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan maintained second place with a 91 percent compliance rate. 

Meanwhile, Al-Ahsa Airport topped the fourth category of international flight hubs, receiving less than 2 million passengers annually, maintaining a 100 percent compliance rate in November for the fifth consecutive month. 

Qassim’s Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Airport ranked first in the fourth category for international entrees, where the number of passengers is less than two million annually, with a 100 percent compliance rate. 

The fifth category, dedicated to domestic terminals, saw Gurayat Airport securing the first position, achieving a stable 100 percent rate since July, outperforming all competing airports in the total average waiting times for departure and arrival flights. 

The release of the monthly report reflects GACA’s commitment to transparency and continuous efforts to enhance the quality of services provided to travelers, contributing to an improved experience across the Kingdom’s airports. 

Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy envisions boosting air connectivity to 250 destinations, accommodating 330 million passengers, and doubling air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons by 2030. 


Diriyah Co. partners with Midad to develop Four Seasons hotel in Diriyah 

Updated 07 January 2026
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Diriyah Co. partners with Midad to develop Four Seasons hotel in Diriyah 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund-backed developer, Diriyah Co., has signed a joint development agreement with Midad Real Estate Investment and Development Co. to construct the Four Seasons Diriyah Hotel and private residences. 

The partnership will strengthen collaboration between the two companies through the development of the luxury Four Seasons Diriyah, which will feature 159 rooms, alongside private Four Seasons residences, spanning approximately 235,000 sq. meters within Diriyah’s master plan. 

The project’s total value is projected at SR3.1 billion (approximately $827 million), encompassing both land acquisition and construction expenses. 

Midad is one of the Kingdom’s leading real estate developers, expanding its portfolio of high-end projects and maintaining numerous strategic partnerships with prominent global brands, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted name in luxury residential and hospitality development across Saudi Arabia. 

This partnership marks the first major collaboration between Diriyah Co. and Midad, supporting Diriyah’s plans to develop 40 luxury hotels across its two main projects: the 14-sq.-km Diriyah Project and the 62-sq.-km Wadi Safar Project, a premium destination that blends lifestyle, culture, and entertainment. 

Commenting on the agreement, Minister of Tourism and Secretary-General of Diriyah Co., Ahmad Al-Khatib, said: “The Kingdom continues to set new standards in developing tourism destinations, with Diriyah at the forefront.” 

He added that such partnerships enhance the world-class experiences Saudi Arabia offers and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination in this sector. 

Diriyah Co. CEO Jerry Inzerillo commented that the Four Seasons Diriyah Hotel and Residences will be one of the Kingdom’s largest luxury hotels. 

“We are proud to announce this joint development with Midad, one of Saudi Arabia’s top real estate developers. This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to enabling Saudi partners to contribute to Diriyah’s transformative journey and confirms Midad’s confidence in the opportunities the project presents,” Inzerillo added. 

Midad CEO Abdelilah bin Mohammed Al-Aiban said: “This project is a pivotal milestone for our company, allowing us to bring the Four Seasons experience to one of the Kingdom’s most prominent heritage destinations.” 

He added: “We are excited to deliver a project that embodies design excellence, world-class service, and sustainable value, while contributing meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s tourism, cultural, and economic ambitions.” 

The collaboration comes amid rapid progress on the SR236 billion Diriyah project, which has awarded construction contracts worth more than SR101.25 billion to date. 

Diriyah is expected to contribute approximately SR70 billion directly to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, create more than 180,000 jobs, accommodate 100,000 residents, and host around 50 million annual visitors. 

The development will feature contemporary office spaces accommodating tens of thousands of professionals across technology, media, arts, and education, complemented by museums, retail destinations, a university, an opera house, and the Diriyah Arena.  

It will also offer a diverse selection of restaurants and cafes, alongside nearly 40 world-class resorts and hotels distributed across its two primary master plans.