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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has built a massive network of
modern roads linking all parts of the country, in addition to a railway network and air
transport services offered by Saudi Arabian Airlines, the largest air carrier in the
Middle East. Sea transportation has also witnessed rapid development, including the
establishment of a number of seaports linking the Kingdom with the rest of the world. 1.
Roads
The length of the Kingdom's road network reached more than 42,000 kilometers in 1995 (1415
H).
* The length of paved agricultural roads reached 96,000 kilometers in 1995 (1415 H).
* The cost of the roads total more than SR 130 billion.
2. Railways
The construction of a railway line linking the capital Riyadh with Dammam, the seaport on
the Arabian Gulf coast, dates to 1951 (1370.H), during the era of the Founding King, Abdul
Aziz. As part of the Kingdom's all-encompassing development a new line was constructed,
allowing for the daily operation of four express trains, two in each direction. This
reduced the journey's duration to four hours.
3. Air Transport
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is responsible for the transportation of passengers and
baggage on its domestic and international flights. Saudia operates 107 planes of various
types, including Lockheed, Tristar, Airbus and Boeing 747. It has more than 10,000
employees. 73% of its pilots are Saudis. In 1994, Saudia flew 12 million passengers.
4. Airports
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has 25 airports. Three are international, eight regional and
fourteen domestic. International airports include:
King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.
Thirty-five kilometers north of the capital Riyadh, it was opened in 1983 (1403 H). Built
on an area of 225 sq. kilometers, its operational capacity is 7.5 million passengers
annually.
Dhahran International Airport (Closed
1999)
Built in the Eastern Region in 1953 (1371 H), it was the Kingdom's first
international airport. It is an international transit point for European and Asian
airlines.
King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah
It was built in 1981 (1401 H) on an area of 105 sq. kilometers. Each of its three
terminals is considered a separate airport. There is one for domestic flights, another for
international flights and a third for pilgrim flights. Jeddah is the main air gateway for
pilgrims.
King Fahd International
Airport in the Eastern Region
This is the Kingdom's most modern airport, comprising an area of 780 square
kilometers. Its facilities are state-of-the-art.
5. Seaports
The number of quays at the Kingdom's ports increased from 27 in 1975 (1395 H) to 182 in
1994 - 1995 (1414 - 1415 H), including 23 at Yanbu's King Fahd Industrial Port. There are
112 maritime companies in the Kingdom which owns 11 ships and has shares in 48 others.
The major seaports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are:
1.Jeddah Islamic Seaport.
2.King Abdul Aziz Seaport - Dammam, on the Arabian Gulf.
3.King Fahd Industrial Seaport - Jubail, on the Arabian Gulf.
4.King Fahd International Seaport - Yanbu, on the Red Sea.
5.Jizan Seaport - in the south of the Kingdom, on the Red Sea.
6.Jubail Commercial Seaport, on the Arabian Gulf.
7.Yanbu Commercial Seaport, on the Red Sea.
Secondary Seaports in the Kingdom include
1. Al Wajh Seaport Red Sea.
2. Haql Seaport Red Sea.
3. Dhiba'a Seaport Red Sea.
4. Al Kheraiba Seaport Red Sea.
5. Farasan Seaport Red Sea.
6. Rabigh Seaport Red Sea.
7. Al Laith Seaport Red Sea.
8. Al Qunfuda Seaport Red Sea.
9. Al Suhail Seaport Red Sea.
10. Al Khobar Seaport Arabian Gulf
11. Al Aqeer Seaport Arabian Gulf
12. Ras Abu Qamees Seaport. Arabian Gulf
These ports are run by the Saudi Ports Authority.
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