In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of services provided to pilgrims, the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, inaugurated the "Mawrdi" platform in the Holy City of Mecca. This platform is the result of a strategic partnership between "Al-Balad Al-Ameen" Company, the investment arm of the Holy City Municipality, and "Sari" Company, a leader in supply chain solutions, thus forming a unified digital platform for managing and regulating the food system in Mecca.

An integrated partnership to serve the guests of God

The launch ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Makkah and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Balad Al-Ameen Company, Mr. Musaed bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood, along with a number of leaders from the municipal and housing sectors. The new platform serves as an advanced operational model and an integrated electronic marketplace connecting suppliers with various catering establishments and central kitchens, creating a unified digital environment that enables real-time order management and process tracking, thus providing accurate data to support decision-makers in managing seasonal events.

The importance of the platform in the context of Vision 2030

The "Mawrdi" platform gains its paramount importance through its direct alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Guests of God Service Program. Makkah faces unique logistical challenges globally, namely the need to provide safe and healthy food for more than 1.8 million pilgrims annually within a few days, in addition to millions of Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year. This platform bridges the coordination gap between supply and demand, ensuring a continuous flow of food without interruption or waste.

Technical features and operational impact

The platform primarily aims to enhance seasonal preparedness by providing "real-time market insights," meaning the ability to predict needs before crises occur. The platform's technical features include:

• Direct connection: Enabling suppliers to display their products, manage inventory and purchase orders electronically.
• Transparency and governance: Applying clear standards for procurement and supply that ensure quality and fair pricing.
• Real-time tracking: Providing catering companies with the opportunity to track supply chains and proofs of delivery, reducing commercial disputes and improving operational performance.

Enhancing food security and sustainability

The role of "Mourdi" extends beyond the commercial aspect to include enhancing food security in the central region and the holy sites. Through the analysis of big data provided by the platform, stakeholders will be able to accurately identify consumption patterns, reduce food waste, and ensure the delivery of high-quality meals on time, reflecting a positive image of the services provided in the Kingdom.

This initiative embodies an ideal model of integration between the government sector (represented by the Ministry and the Secretariat) and the private technology sector, to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of food supply chains, and to move forward towards transforming Makkah into a smart city that employs technology to serve the pilgrims of the Holy Mosque.

In a strategic move reflecting the rapid development of the Saudi aviation sector, King Khalid International Airport announced the successful completion of its largest terminal operational transfer since its establishment. This achievement, executed seamlessly between February 16 and 25, represents a significant turning point in the airport's operations, directly aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and raising operational efficiency in line with global standards.

Details of hall and flight redistribution

The integrated operational plan included a strategic redistribution of flights to ensure smooth passenger flow. Terminals 1 and 2 were designated for international flights operated by national carriers, while Terminals 3 and 4 served domestic flights. International flights operated by foreign carriers were routed through Terminal 5. This meticulous organization significantly reduced transfer times and waiting periods, positively impacting passenger satisfaction and expediting check-in procedures.

Strategic context: Vision 2030 and the aviation sector

This achievement is not merely an internal organizational measure; it is central to the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Kingdom seeks to solidify its position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents, and the development of King Khalid International Airport is a cornerstone of this vision. Enhancing the airport's efficiency will bolster Riyadh's capacity to accommodate the growing economic and tourism activity, particularly given the major projects underway in the city.

Crowd management and operational excellence

The CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, Engineer Ayman Abu Abah, affirmed that this success was not a coincidence, but rather the result of meticulous planning and fruitful cooperation with all government agencies and strategic partners. To ensure the success of this transitional phase, more than 650 field guides were deployed to assist travelers, in addition to providing logistical support including free parking for the first hour and free transfer services between terminals, thus ensuring the smooth flow of flights and uninterrupted daily operations.

Record numbers and future aspirations

In numerical terms, the transfer period saw over 1,046,000 passengers transit through the airport on 7,650 flights, reflecting its high level of preparedness. This move contributed to increasing the capacity of Terminals 3 and 4 from 16 million to 25 million passengers annually. These improvements are part of an ambitious plan to increase the airport's total capacity to 56 million passengers by 2026, with a focus on boosting transit passenger capacity to 7.5 million passengers annually, thus reinforcing the airport's position as a major regional and international hub.