AL-MAHRA, Yemen — The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) has inaugurated a project to rehabilitate Al-Ghaidah International Airport in Al-Mahra Governorate, Yemen.

The airport is designed to raise its efficiency, achieve the highest levels of safety, facilitate access, support social ties and improve the quality of services provided for passengers and airlines, in accordance with the requirements of international navigation systems.

Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani said that the project achieves the aspirations of the people of Mahra and relieves them of the burden of traveling to areas that are at least 500 kilometers away.

For his part, Assistant General Supervisor of the SDRPY Eng. Hassan Al-Attas, explained during the event that SDRPY conducted tests of air navigation and communication systems, in cooperation with internationally accredited companies, and implemented the necessary air inspection and flight tests procedures.

Eng. Al-Attas stated that the program was keen to provide the airport with baggage equipment, an ambulance with all its medical and emergency needs, and a fire truck whose specifications match the airport safety and firefighting according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The project includes the rehabilitation of airport buildings and units, and equipping it with navigation systems (R-NAV) and communications that comply with the specifications of ICAO.

It also included the runway, control towers, fire, rescue and water unit at the airport, in addition to the integrated lighting for the airport fence.

The project links Yemen locally, regionally and internationally, and provides job and investment opportunities inside the airport, in addition to the necessary training and qualification for Yemeni cadres to use the latest technologies for airports, such as communication systems and modern fire engines.

The project to rehabilitate Al-Ghaidah International Airport is among 207 development projects and initiatives implemented by the SDRPY in various Yemeni governorates to serve the Yemeni people build the capacities of government institutions.

This is in addition to develop programs in seven basic sectors: education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries. — SPA