Mohammed Alshoaiby Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Work returned to normal on Sunday at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) after a technical glitch Saturday night led to suspension and delay of all flights. “At 8:26 p.m. on Saturday, a sudden technical failure affected the major exchange of Saudi Telecommunications Company feeding all operational devices at King Khalid International Airport, which led to the suspension and delay of all flights,” said a statement issued by the Saudi Arabian Airlines. “We offer our sincerest apologies for these delays,” the statement said. The system error reportedly also affected transactions to and from banks working with KKIA. The suspension and delays stranded hundreds of domestic and international passengers in this holiday season. Passengers recounted harrowing experience at the airport as no one was giving them any clear reason behind the delay and suspension of flights. “Sunday was the week's first working day. I had an important business appointment in Jeddah, but could not meet it because my flight was suspended,” said the country manager of a trading company. Domestic flights in the airport's arrivals have been scheduled on-time, according to the FlightStats global website and passengers aboard flights bound for Jeddah, Hail and Abha. Online flight status showed that most delays were on flights departing from KKIA, with less issues surrounding arrivals.
