“The operation of the centre is an important step in the development of air navigation services in the Kingdom in that it will increase the absorption capacity of Saudi airspace, meet the requirements of users as well as provide necessary services to meet the steady increase in air traffic in the region,” said Muhammad Bin Ahmad Al-Salmi, GACA vice president.
According to Al-Salmi, a similar centre will be established at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah to control the lower part of Saudi airspace at an elevation between 15,000to 35,000 feet.
Maintaining the smooth flow of air traffic with a maximum degree of safety is in accordance with the standards and the requirements of the World Civil Aviation Organization. That is our goal too, added Al-Salmi.
“We are providing the most advanced technology used in global air traffic management systems,” he added.
According to Al-Salmi, the project was established at a cost of more than SR220 million, and it took the GACA four years to finalise the two centres.