Taif International Airport set a record for passengers handled in 2016, which is the highest in the airport's history since its inception in 1396 H. Passenger number in Taif Airport increased 13.6% to 1,253,369 in 2016, compared to 1,103,525 the previous year. Flights increased by 15% in 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, as total flights reached 12,280 compared to the same period in 2015 when total flights reached 10,670. Engineer Abdel Wahab bin Abdel Rasheed Bukhari, Taif International Airport Director, said the increase showed air transport growth in Saudi Arabia. He pointed out that Taif International Airport has become one of the most popular destinations due to its geographical location, which serves Makkah area as well as the provinces, villages and centers affiliated to it, to support King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Bukhari added that the General Authority of Civil Aviation always seeks to serve its customers by providing all available means to achieve its aspirations under the leadership of GACA President Minister of Transport Sulaiman Al-Hamdan and Assistant to GACA President for Airports Eng. Tariq Abdul-Jabbar, as well as the Director General for Western Airports Suleiman Al-Rawaf in an effort to keep abreast of Saudi Vision 2030. Bukhari further said forecasts indicate continued growth in passenger traffic over the next year in light of the airport developments. The airport management is working on improving the quality of services offered to travelers, while providing them with comfort and welfare in addition to accommodating growing demand of air traffic. — SG
