Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial City operates world’s largest smart irrigation network

1 / 2
RCJY's unified control center that manages the irrigation system has more than 12,200 smart devices, processing about 1.2 million signals daily. (SPA)
2 / 2
RCJY's unified control center that manages the irrigation system has more than 12,200 smart devices, processing about 1.2 million signals daily. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 21 August 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial City operates world’s largest smart irrigation network

  • Jubail irrigation network has pipelines running over 11,600km
  • Protects environment and combats climate change, says official

JUBAIL: Jubail Industrial City operates the world’s largest integrated smart irrigation system, which is helping to protect the environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Citing information from the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the report stated that the system is managed by a unified control center that includes more than 12,200 smart devices, and processes about 1.2 million signals daily.

Safar Alnutayfat, the RCJY’s operation and maintenance manager, said:  “The system serves as a national model aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 for environmental sustainability, advancing digital transformation in resource management, and activating smart cities with high efficiency.”

Alnutayfat explained that the commission manages a vast irrigation network extending over 11,600 km of pipelines.




RCJY's unified control center that manages the irrigation system has more than 12,200 smart devices, processing about 1.2 million signals daily. (SPA)

With the use of the smart system, the commission has reduced operation and maintenance costs by over 35 percent, while recycling treated water for irrigation at about 2.8 million cubic meters per month, he said.

Alnutayfat said the system, which is in line with the goals of the Saudi and Middle East green initiatives, rationalizes consumption of natural resources, increases vegetation cover, and combats climate change in the area.




RCJY's unified control center that manages the irrigation system has more than 12,200 smart devices, processing about 1.2 million signals daily. (SPA)

 


Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

Updated 15 December 2025
Follow

Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

  • New milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport 
  • Lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight

JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded a new historic milestone on Sunday with the arrival of the 50-millionth passenger for year 2025.

The 50 million milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport since the launch of civil aviation in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. 

It also placed KAIA among the world’s mega airports in terms of passenger numbers. The figure represents a 1.83 percent growth from 49.1 million passenger arrival recorded in 2024.

“This achievement reflects the qualitative transformation at KAIA and its growing status as a regional hub and national gateway connecting the Kingdom to the world,” the report said.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah. (SPA)

It also underscores the airport’s vital role in enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination and a gateway to the Two Holy Mosques by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

KAIA serves as a gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah.

She was welcomed by JEDCO’s leadership, who greeted her and presented a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.

JEDCO Chief Executive Officer Mazen Johar said that reaching 50 million passengers reflects the airport’s high operational readiness and marks a pivotal milestone in preparations to double this figure in the coming years.