RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport emerges as one of the top three performing terminals in the Kingdom, according to official data. The Riyadh-based aviation facility topped the category for international terminals with over 15 million passengers annually, achieving an 82 percent compliance rate with the General Authority of Civil Aviation’s standards. In its monthly report for April, GAC outlined the performance of the country’s airports, highlighting King Fahd International Airport and Abha International Airport as premier travel hubs. Based on 11 key criteria, the evaluation aims to improve service quality and enhance the passenger experience. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah came second with the same commitment rate but was outperformed by King Khalid International in meeting the criteria. King Fahd International Airport led the category for international airports with 5 to 15 million passengers annually, also with a 91 percent commitment rate. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, which had the same commitment rate, was second. In the category of international airports with 2 to 5 million passengers annually, Abha International Airport secured the top spot with a 100 percent commitment rate, outperforming King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jazan, which also had a 100 percent commitment rate but lagged in meeting the criteria. Al-Qaisumah International Airport ranked first among international terminals with fewer than 2 million passengers annually, with a 100 percent commitment rate, excelling in average waiting times for departure and arrival flights. Arar Airport achieved the highest performance among domestic terminals, with a 100 percent commitment rate, leading in average waiting times for departure and arrival flights. GACA’s performance evaluation is based on essential criteria such as passenger waiting times, time spent at baggage claim, and passport and customs areas, alongside standards related to accessibility for persons with disabilities and other global best practices. In an additional report released earlier in April, GACA revealed that the volume of air cargo handled by airports in the Kingdom saw an annual rise of 7 percent in 2023 to reach 918,000 tonnes. The analysis stated that the Kingdom’s aviation sector strongly rebounded in 2023, with airports witnessing a 26 percent rise in passenger transportation compared to 2022. GACA said that flight facilities in Saudi Arabia transported 112 million passengers last year, an 8 percent increase compared to 2019. The report revealed that the number of flights through the Kingdom’s airports in 2023 reached about 815,000, an increase of 16 percent compared to 2022. In 2023, airports in Saudi Arabia handled 394,000 international and 421,000 domestic journeys, the authority added.