JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport reported a 15 percent annual increase in passenger traffic in 2024, reaching 12 million, according to official statistics.

Dammam Airports Co, the managing and developing firm of the facility, reported that the Eastern Province-based airport achieved this milestone between January and mid-December, adding that it handled over 99,000 flights during the same period, reflecting a 5 percent growth compared to 2023.

The airport also set new daily records for the number of passengers, surpassing 50,000 in a single day, a new peak for daily traffic since it started operations.

On June 13, the airport reached a record daily air traffic volume, with 374 flights operated on the day, according to the report by the Saudi Press Agency.

This aligns with the Kingdom’s aviation goals, including tripling annual passenger numbers to 330 million, expanding connectivity to over 250 destinations from its 29 airports, and increasing air freight capacity to 4.5 million tons of cargo annually by 2030.

Breaking the 12 million passengers record is part of the series of successes accomplished by the KFIA’s operating and managing company, aligning with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, represented by the National Aviation Strategy.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector experienced a 17 percent annual surge to 62 million passengers in the first half of 2024, amidst increasing domestic and international travel demand.

According to official statements the General Authority of Civil Aviation issued in July, the period also saw 446,000 flights, reflecting a 12 percent increase compared to 2023. Additionally, air cargo traffic through the Kingdom’s airports rose by 41 percent, reaching 606,000 tons during the same period.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh led the growth, handling 17.7 million passengers, a 21 percent year-on-year increase, and 132,000 flights, marking a 15 percent rise from the previous year.

Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport recorded 24 million passengers, a 16 percent increase, and 148,000 flights, showing a 13 percent rise compared to 2023.

RIYADH: Trade between Arab countries and China has surged by more than 1,000 percent over the past two decades, reaching approximately $400 billion in 2024, according to Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, assistant secretary-general of the Arab League.

Al-Maliki made the statement during the inaugural Arab-China Ministerial Meeting on Housing and Urban Development, held alongside the 41st session of the Arab Ministers of Housing Council in Algeria. The event aims to lay the groundwork for a strategic partnership that will benefit both sides, as reported by the Kuwait News Agency.

China, the world’s second-largest economy, continues to draw global attention due to its economic reforms and growth. In May, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing gathered leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, culminating in the Beijing Declaration, which emphasized strengthening China-Arab cooperation and building a shared future.

“China has become the second-largest trading partner for Arab countries, with trade volume increasing from $36 billion in 2004 to nearly $400 billion in 2024,” Al-Maliki stated. He also highlighted the vital role of the housing and construction sectors in driving socioeconomic development and underscored the importance of China-Arab economic ties.

Al-Maliki stressed that the partnership between Arab states and China in the fields of construction and urban development could offer innovative, sustainable solutions to address global challenges, such as rapid population growth, climate change, and the need for sustainable resource management.

Algerian Housing Minister Mohamed Belaribi, who currently chairs the Arab Housing Ministers Council, described the meeting as a significant step toward forging high-level partnerships built on mutual benefit.

“Arab-Chinese relations have evolved since the 1950s, serving mutual interests and strengthening their positions regionally and globally,” Belaribi said.

He added that the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange expertise on key issues like housing sustainability, smart cities, earthquake-resistant construction, and urban renewal.

Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ni Hong, emphasized the vast potential for enhanced cooperation between Arab countries and China in the construction and development sectors. “This opens the door for strengthened exchanges and marks the beginning of a new chapter in our collaborative efforts,” he said.

Ni also commended Arab countries for their achievements in urban development and expressed optimism for mutually beneficial outcomes.

He highlighted China’s ongoing commitment to forging stronger ties with Arab nations through initiatives such as signing memorandums of understanding and conducting seminars and training programs.

These developments align with China’s broader global strategy, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative, a major element of its international cooperation efforts.

Launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the BRI aims to enhance global connectivity and foster cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, trade, finance, and cultural exchange, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road.

Over the past decade, the BRI has expanded its scope to include over 150 countries and 30 international organizations, supporting projects ranging from railways and ports to green energy and digital infrastructure. The ongoing collaboration between China and Arab countries, particularly in the housing and construction sectors, reflects the growing strength and scope of the BRI’s global ambitions.