King Abdulaziz Airport implements cross-take for the first time in the Kingdom
In a significant step that enhances the efficiency of the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah announced the activation of "cross-take" operations on all three of its runways. This measure follows the airport's official accreditation by the General Authority of Civil Aviation , marking an unprecedented achievement as the first airport in the Kingdom to fully implement this advanced operational mechanism.
Safety standards and technical readiness
This step was only taken after the airport administration fulfilled all the stringent requirements related to air safety, both nationally and internationally. The runways and navigation systems underwent rigorous testing to ensure their technical and operational readiness to handle this type of takeoff, which requires a high level of coordination between air traffic control towers and pilots to guarantee smooth operations in accordance with the highest safety standards.
What is cross-start and why is it important?
Intersection take-off is a globally accepted practice at busy airports, where aircraft are permitted to initiate take-off from designated intersection points on the runway instead of using the entire runway length, provided the remaining runway length is sufficient and safe for the aircraft type and its payload. This procedure directly contributes to:
- Reduced waiting time: aircraft do not have to travel long distances to reach the beginning of the runway (Taxiing).
- Increasing capacity: Increasing the number of trips that can be served per hour, especially during peak times and seasons.
Environmental and economic impact
This achievement goes beyond operational considerations to realize significant environmental and economic goals aligned with Jeddah Airports Company's . Reducing aircraft turnaround time on the ground translates to a substantial decrease in jet fuel consumption, thereby lowering harmful carbon emissions. This approach directly supports the Kingdom's environmental commitments and the "Saudi Green" initiative, making the aviation sector more environmentally friendly.
Strategic context and promising future
This development comes at a time when King Abdulaziz International Airport is experiencing rapid growth in passenger numbers, given its role as the main gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a global logistics hub. The implementation of cross-flight services reflects the airport's commitment to the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy , which aims to enhance air connectivity and position the Kingdom as a global logistics center linking three continents, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
