JEDDAH, 5 November — Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah, assistant minister of defense and aviation, has said that recent international developments have underscored the need to beef up security measures at the Kingdom’s airports.
Speaking at a function to honor retired Saudi Airlines officials on Saturday, the prince confirmed that not a single Saudia pilot is currently in police custody in the United States.
A few pilots had been interrogated by the authorities there, the prince added.
He said Saudia has signed a contract to supply a flight simulator to train pilots locally instead of sending them abroad.
The prince said a decision has been made to expand King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah.
He also confirmed that a suspicious-looking letter was found last week at the control tower in Riyadh’s King Khaled International Airport.
The letter, which contained a white powder, has been sent for detailed laboratory tests.
Two employees of the control tower had come across the letter by accident in the mailroom. They later tested negative to anthrax exposure.
