Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has inaugurated its new SAUDIA Operations building at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.
Saudi Airlines Real Estate Development Company (SARED) built the two-storey building that features state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology over an area of 50,000 square metres. The building will serve as a key enabler of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, under the Kingdom’s broader National Transport and Logistics Strategy. It will also support SAUDIA in its efforts to make KAIA a global hub and can accommodate over 1,100 employees.
Located near the far side of the airport, the building offers easy aircraft access to pilots and cabin crew members. It is a proper mini terminal, complete with AI-powered self-boarding kiosks and five luggage carousels, as well as 15 meeting rooms for preflight cabin crew briefings.
Multiple departments including the Operations Control Centre will move into the building. It is the largest centre of its kind in the Middle East and the 12th largest globally. The centre coordinates between the group’s business lines, communicates with aircraft to ensure control of its operational plans, and tracks air traffic across all domestic and international airports in real-time.
It has been designed to bring every sector directly involved in flight operations under one roof to streamline communication and ensure seamless implementation throughout. The building also features captivating wall-to-wall displays that depict all currently operating aviation systems.
The Emergency Response Centre utilises the latest integrated systems to analyse contingencies and fast-track decision-making. A safety and quality assurance department overseas the day-to-day operations of all concerned airport entities. It is tasked with issuing technical recommendations to maintain operational safety.
The building was inaugurated in a ceremony by His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Governor of Makkah, and His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation and His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group; along with members of
SAUDIA’s Board of Directors, various KAIA officials, and members of the media.
“We are eager to see the new SAUDIA Operations building help make our flight services, which span over 100 destinations in four continents, more punctual and efficient than ever before. The new infrastructure is not only equipped with innovative technologies that put us right on the leading edge of the world of aviation, but also easily meets the needs of SAUDIA
His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group
and other stakeholders throughout the airport.”
Pingback: Changi loses Skytrax Best Airport in The World Title to Hamad International Airport | SUPERTRAVELME.com