SANS to adopt “Intelligent Approach” system at Saudi airports

This follows a significant agreement with its UK counterpart, NATS, in collaboration with technology providers Leidos and Indra.

Intelligent Approach is the world’s only time-based separation arrivals management tool. Developed jointly by NATS and Leidos, it uses dynamically calculated time-based spacing to increase runway capacity, reduce delays and minimise carbon emissions.

Saudi Arabia is making major investments in its aviation infrastructure to help drive the Kingdom’s growth ambitions as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, with the intention to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million, develop two global long-haul connecting hub airports and increase air cargo volume to 4.5 million tonnes. Intelligent Approach, as a way of maximising runway efficiency and reducing controller workload will be instrumental in delivering against those ambitions. 

Abdulaziz Al-Zaid, CEO of SANS, emphasised that this step marks a major milestone in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation sector. He stated: “The implementation of the Intelligent Approach system across Saudi airports will directly increase capacity and elevate operational efficiency, while also playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Through this agreement, we at SANS are proud to be the first in the Middle East to adopt this cutting- edge system, maximising runway utilisation and strengthening our ability to achieve the goals of the national aviation strategy.”

Martin Rolfe, NATS chief executive officer, said: “Intelligent Approach is the world’s leading operational time based separation tool and is delivering significant benefits in every operation where it’s being used, improving resilience, boosting on time performance and minimising emissions, while reducing controller workload. This milestone deployment is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and we’re looking forward to working together with SANS to ensure the project delivers similar benefits for them and for the airlines and passengers using Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah airports.”