RIYADH: Over 2 million passengers have arrived at and departed from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport since the beginning of Ramadan, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. According to the SPA, Jeddah Airports Co., the owner of the KAIA, the airport has handled 13,000 incoming and outgoing flights since the beginning of Ramadan. In addition, it managed 1.15 million bags and over 16,000 tons of shipped goods since March 23. The airport confirmed its readiness to receive the expected increase in the arrivals of pilgrims to perform Umrah during the last 10 nights of the holy month. In collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s security, governmental and operational departments, all terminals at the KAIA are prepared to provide the best services to the guests. The airport is striving to achieve the highest performance rates and improve passenger services and experience. Moreover, Jeddah Airport Co. is also aiming to achieve the highest standards of safety, security, comfort, and smooth movement for the pilgrims. The firm is also providing convenient means of transportation, giving travelers more options in moving to and from the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Moreover, the Haramain Express Train, linked to Airport Terminal No. 1, operates 16 trips to Makkah a day. A shuttle bus service is also provided between the airport and Mecca for free. The airport is also leading a workforce of 16,000 employees roped in from various agencies who are present around the clock to monitor the operations. According to the Air Transport Statistics Publication released last week by the General Authority of Statistics, the Jeddah International Airport emerged as the busiest airport in Saudi Arabia in 2022, handling 32 million passengers. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was the second highest density, with about 27 million passengers, followed by King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, with about 10 million passengers. International air freight was also northbound in 2022 — a reflection of an economy putting the pedal to the metal — as it picked up 12 percent to 559,000 tons in 2022 from 2021.