JEDDAH: Having a small number of employees in security and customs became a trouble for Saudi Customs as some passengers complained of the poor services at the airport. This is because not more people are attracted to the jobs in Airport.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) stated that the reduced number of workers in these positions obstruct its efforts to operate airports according to commercial standards.
GACA confirmed in a recent report that it faces difficulties related to budget shortage in airport facilities, and it’s suffering a delay in its procedures to approve its contractors’ dues.
It also suffers from weak performance in regards to safety and traffic movements in some countries. The report revealed that there is difficulty attracting specialized staff that conforms to the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organizations and other relevant bodies.
As for the investment side, the airport authority faces a problem covering its operational and investment costs.
The report showed that total spending at the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014 of the King Abdulaziz development projects in Jeddah, which consists of establishing a complete airport with all its facilities to take in the rapid growth of air movement, reached SR16.7 billion; around 45 percent of the project has been completed during the same year.
The authority said there are no feasible factors to establish an airport in Fursan Island, but the idea hasn’t been abandoned, only delayed.
Regarding the Al-Qunfotha airport, GACA said it has been approved in the budget and a piece of land has been allocated for the project, but the location was not suitable.
An alternative location will be assigned to the airport, authorities confirmed.
Ahmad Al-Zailai, Shoura Council member, said there are two pieces of land that could be used for Al-Qunfotha airport. One in Al-Nakhla and one in Al-Dansah.
He said GACA should address Al-Qunfotha and Jeddah municipalities to allocate one of these plots to the airport.
