A technical glitch in Saudi Aramco’s jet fuel supply line at King Abdulaziz International Airport’s Saudia Terminal delayed 18 flights on Sunday.
Khaled Al-Khaibary, spokesman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said problems beyond their control caused the delay.
“GACA coordinated with Aramco technicians to repair the fault as quickly as possible,” he said, adding the problem lasted for several hours.
“Some flights were delayed more than four hours,” he said, but flights resumed operation soon after receiving fuel.
The problem did not affect the Foreign Airlines Terminal where flights were taking off as normal.
According to Walid Al-Oloumi, senior public relations official at Saudia, flight delays began late afternoon. He said the fuel pump malfunction was caused by a power cut.
He commended the role played by Abdul Hameed Abalarry, director general of the airport and Essam Fouad Noor, executive director, who worked to solve the problem and get flights back on schedule.
“Saudia arranged an open iftar buffet at the airport for its passengers and provided them with all necessary assistance including with flight connections,” Al-Oloumi said.
The delay caused congestion at the airport.
Many passengers had no information as to when their flights would take off.
Faraj Al-Subaie said he and his family were waiting for their flight to Riyadh since 1 pm. “When I asked the security officer, he said the delay was due to a lack of jet fuel. That’s the first time I’ve heard of that reason for a delay,” he said.
Saad Al-Shibani, who came from Los Angeles, was waiting for his flight to Abha. “I asked a Saudia official when would my flight take off but he did not know. Anyway the delay prevented me from the privilege of having breakfast with my family” he said.
‘Glitch’ delays flights at KAIA
