RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has launched a package of development programs and initiatives in various regions of the Kingdom to raise the level of competitiveness, as well as to achieve a balance between supply and demand in the air transport market in a way serving the interests of passengers. This is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and performance of civil aviation industry with developing and improving airports and increasing the number of domestic and international flight services, the Saudi Press Agency reported. As part of the package, GACA launched on Sunday an international service from Prince Abdulmohsen International Airport in Yanbu, with EgyptAir began its flight to Cairo. The flight will arrive at 10 a.m. and take off at 11 a.m. every Sunday. Last week, GACA started new services from Prince Naif International Airport in Qassim. It is worth mentioning that Kuwait Airways had launched direct service between Kuwait and Qassim, starting from the beginning of October at a rate of three weekly flights, while EgyptAir will join the group of foreign airlines operating from Qassim Airport and these aviation companies include Gulf Air, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Egypt Air, Nesma Airlines, Nile Air, Kuwait Airways and Turkish Airlines. GACA will also start operating two daily domestic flights between Riyadh and Dammam. The Flyadeal flight will arrive in Riyadh at 9 p.m. and depart at 9.30 p.m. while the arrival of Dammam flight will be at 9.05 a.m. and departure at 9.40 a.m. From Dec. 2 onwards, EgyptAir will start operating new flights on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This comes as part of the GACA's programs to drive a further increase in the number of flights at high traffic frequency airports. Also, the authority has worked out plans to find solutions to raise the rate of growth in air traffic and passenger traffic at low-traffic airports with operating more domestic and international flights. GACA is working to develop the network of international and domestic airports, to meet the growing demand and increase in the number of passengers at various airports in the Kingdom. It also strives to build a modern airport system that provides advanced modern services, in order to enhance the services provided to passengers with high standard and quality, and provide them with comfort and luxury at airports and accommodate the increasing demand for air traffic. This is in addition to developing the methodology for smooth operation and safeguarding the interests and comforts of customers according to the latest systems and international standards.
