Integrated Management
Client General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia
Period of Service 2008 - 2018
Project Description CAI was engaged by the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia in 2008 to provide management services to King Fahd International Airport. CAI was tasked to transform, commercialise and corporatise the airport, and reverse its declining market share.
A CAI resident team worked with the local management team to quickly establish a traffic development programme. Ever since, passenger traffic at KFIA has grown steadily and continues to surpass that of its competitor. Total passenger movements in 2016 was close to 10 million passengers per annum - more than double the volume at the start of the CAI partnership.
With successful airline marketing, the team attracted more than 10 new international passenger and cargo airlines to the airport. KFIA is now served by 34 airlines connecting to 58 cities.
KFIA opened its cargo village in 2015 with seven international express freight companies, SATS and a Customs-bonded zone operator as anchor tenants. There are more companies waiting to participate in the next phase of development.
The team also revamped the aviation fuel structure and management, to benchmark the fuel farm facility to Joint Inspection Group standards, the industry standard.
A second ground handling company, Swissport, was added to improve ground services and lower airlines’ operating costs.
For a better passenger experience, airport operations were enhanced by injecting capacity, revamping processes and leveraging technology. A slew of initiatives was introduced, including more immigration counters and pre-board security channels, outsourcing immigration services management, setting up red and green customs clearance channels, new e-gates and self-check-in kiosks, shifting the screening location of checked baggage, and new way-finding and flight information displays.
In 2017, the team launched the Kingdom’s very first City Terminal, offering the convenience of off-airport check-in, 24 hours in advance.
Non-aeronautical revenue from commercial activities has tripled since 2008. Concession space within the terminal was expanded. The number of retail and F&B selections was doubled to over 50, with renowned international brands added to enhance the offerings. A new 250-room 5-star hotel is being built to uplift the passenger experience.
CAI has also been managing training programmes at KFIA. Over 9,000 training days were conducted for senior management, middle managers and general staff. More than 120 training programmes, including a customised Airport Professional Development Programme, have been organised to support KFIA’s transformation into a world-class facility.
KFIA’s transformation was recognised by the industry, and in regional and global media.
In 2010, KFIA was accorded the Routes Airport Marketing Award (Middle East) at the 8th Routes Asia Conference. KFIA also clinched two accolades at the Airports Council International (ACI) 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards for Most Improved Airport (Middle East category) and third place in Best Airport by Region (Middle East category).
