In a strategic move that enhances the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, inaugurated today (Monday) two vital projects at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam: the new General Aviation Terminal and the upgrade of the automated landing system on the western runway to Category III (CAT III).

A quantum leap in private aviation services

The General Aviation Terminal is a significant addition to the airport's infrastructure, built on a total area exceeding 23,000 square meters. Designed to meet the needs of the private aviation sector and VIPs, the terminal offers the highest levels of privacy and luxury. The main terminal, spanning 3,900 square meters, includes state-of-the-art facilities for expedited check-in procedures.

The project also includes an aircraft parking area spanning more than 12,000 square meters, with a capacity sufficient to park four aircraft at once, in addition to parking spaces and support facilities covering an area of ​​6,600 square meters, ensuring smooth traffic flow and integrated services.

Automated Landing Technology (CAT III): The first of its kind in the Kingdom

In a technological first for the Kingdom's airports, a Category III (CAT III) Instrument Landing System was inaugurated on the western runway. The significance of this advanced system lies in its ability to enable aircraft to land safely and fully automatically in extremely low visibility conditions, such as dense fog and dust, significantly reducing the likelihood of flight diversions or delays and enhancing operational continuity and air safety reliability.

The upgrade project included the rehabilitation of the 4,000-meter western runway, the construction of an aircraft service road of the same length, and the provision of the runway with more than 3,000 smart lighting units operating with standardized technologies to serve different aircraft models.

Strategic context and national objectives

These inaugurations are part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to increase the capacity of Saudi airports and enhance air connectivity. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam is a key gateway to the Eastern Province, the Kingdom's industrial and oil hub, making the development of its infrastructure an economic imperative to serve the business sector and attract foreign investment.

His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, affirmed that these projects will enhance the airport's operational capacity to the highest international standards, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of Saudi airports regionally and internationally. For his part, the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdulaziz Al-Duailij, explained that the selection of a global company like Universal to operate the terminal reflects the attractive investment environment created by the Authority to develop the general aviation sector.

In a humanitarian gesture reflecting the values ​​of giving and solidarity in Saudi society, the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) honored a select group of humanitarian heroes last weekend, awarding stem cell donors the King Abdulaziz Medal, Third Class. The ceremony, attended by the center's Executive Director, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Askar, recognized their noble sacrifices that have instilled hope and directly contributed to saving the lives of many cancer and hematological patients.

A tribute befitting those who give

In an exclusive statement to Akhbar24, Dr. Ahmed Al-Askar expressed his immense pride and honor at receiving this recognition, which embodies the leadership's and the nation's appreciation for those awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal, Third Class. He explained that this medal is not merely an honor, but a testament to the merit of those who sacrificed a part of themselves to save the lives of others suffering from fatal diseases, thus embodying the highest ideals of humanity and the value of being "present for one another" in times of hardship.

The Saudi Record: A success story that began in 2011

In discussing the infrastructure of this medical achievement, the CEO of “Kimark” pointed to the great development witnessed by the Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry since its establishment in 2011. This registry has turned into a huge and vital database that currently includes 90,000 registered donors, all of whom are ready to donate their stem cells as soon as a genetically matching patient is found, reflecting the growing health and societal awareness in the Kingdom.

A global impact that transcends borders

The impact of the Saudi registry has not been limited to the local level, but has extended internationally. Dr. Al-Askar explained that the registry has contributed to the treatment of more than 200 patients, including 80 patients from outside the Kingdom, representing approximately 15 countries. This success is a result of close cooperation between the Saudi registry and all international registries specializing in stem cells, placing the Kingdom among the leading countries in the field of cross-border humanitarian medical services.

The medical importance of stem cells

It is worth noting that stem cell transplantation is the only lifeline for many patients with blood cancers (such as leukemia), bone marrow failure, and some genetic and immune diseases. The medical challenge lies in finding a tissue match, as genetics and ethnicity play a significant role in compatibility. Therefore, having a large national registry of 90,000 donors greatly increases the chances of survival for Saudi and Arab patients and reduces the need to search for donors in foreign registries whose tissues may not match those of patients in the region.