Riyadh, December 30, 2019, SPA -- The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced yesterday the start of the trial operation phase of the new Arar airport. The airport received yesterday's evening the first arrival and departure flights in the new airport terminal from the capital city of Riyadh through the national carrier, Saudi Arabian Airlines. GACA stated that after preparing the requirements for the trial operation of the new Arar airport, a number of flights will gradually be received. The airport will eventually receive more destinations in the coming weeks through Saudi Arabian Airlines from Riyadh and Jeddah, also flynas will be operating flights from Dammam. On this occasion, the President of GACA Abdulhadi Al Mansouri, extended his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for the unlimited support and attention given to the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom. Al Mansouri also thanked Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Northern Borders Region, for his continuous and constant follow-up of the project, till its completion and making sure all the airport ‘s operational requirements are put in place. He also valued the follow-up and directions of the Transport Minister and Chairman of GACA, Eng. Saleh Al Jasser. Al Mansouri stressed that the start of the trial operations of the new Arar airport, which comes within the vision and strategy of GACA in building and developing a modern airport system with modern and advanced services, is compatible with the goals and strategy of the Kingdom's vision 2030 aiming toward the contribution of supporting and developing the national economy. GACA President went further to explain that the trial operation is one of the most important mechanisms adopted globally before any airport is fully operational. The method is a scientific and a practical approach that is adopted when implementing most important infrastructure projects around the world. This allows for the testing of vital facilities and the efficiency of their operation in a safe and thoughtful manner, while focusing on testing all the operational systems, at the same time identifying and remedying of any technical problems that might happen before the full operation is put in place. Al Mansouri indicated that the new Arar airport accommodates more than (1,039,000) passengers annually, and the capacity for air traffic will reach more than (10) thousand flights per annum. The new airport is also considered a qualitative shift in the field of air transport for the northern border region, where it will provide the best technologies and services that will in turn improve the whole traveler experience. It is worth noting, that the new Arar airport took into account an environmental dimension in its design, where the exterior design forms the Arabic letter “Ain”, which symbolizes the first letter in the name of the city, as well as the design takes the form of an eye shape itself. The new airport contains (10) check-in counters, and (6) travel gates, there are two passenger bridges gates in the new terminal that can accommodate (4) planes at one time. There are also (4) gates that serve airplanes parked airside. Furthermore, the main terminal at the new Arar Airport has an advanced luggage handling system with (2) conveyor belts. This is in addition to (12) passport control counters in the arrival area and (8) counters for the departure. The main passengers terminal is also equipped with (900) seats. It is worth noting that GACA was keen to implement the new Arar Airport project to improve and provide all services needed for people with disabilities. This was accomplished by preparing the main terminal and securing all their needs, from mobile paths to special service counters, whether in the security inspection, or the check-in area. This step was taken by GACA in the context of its keenness to improve services in all airports around the Kingdom to be friendly airports for people with disabilities. GACA is also working to develop a network of international and domestic airports to accommodate the growing demand and increase in the number of travelers in various airports around the Kingdom, and by building a modern airport system that provides advanced modern services. This is in addition to developing the work methodology of customer protection according to the latest international systems and standards. --SPA 11:02 LOCAL TIME 08:02 GMT 0004 www.spa.gov.sa/w1237172