Construction work on TNT Express’ future air and road hub began at Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) today.

The new facility, which will enter service by January 2015, will quintuple the size of TNT Express’ current sorting and customs clearance space in Dammam, allowing for a significant improvement in customs clearance efficiency and speed, said a statement.

When complete, the Dammam site will become TNT Express' flagship clearance gateway into Saudi Arabia. The facility will give the company 4,800 sq m of sorting and customs clearance space within a 10,000 sq m building, compared with the 1,000 sq m space currently shared by TNT Express with other operators.

The future facility will have dedicated customs clearance officers working in a 24/7 environment, it said.
 
TNT Express will be able to clear its customers’ goods quicker, with the additional space allowing more regular movements of trailers in and out of the clearance area. A broader clearance window, with the ability to handle TNT Express’ Economy Express, Full Trailer Loads (FTL) and airfreight consignments, will further strengthen service to clients, it said.

TNT Express will invest €9.5 million ($13.08 million) in the construction and lease of the building, with 78 employees expected at the new facility.

TNT Express will continue to use its other gateways at Riyadh International Airport for Express, King Fahd Causeway for Express and Freight, Dammam Freezone for Freight and Al Batha border crossing handling all land based material between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the statement said.

“We are delighted that TNT Express has chosen KFIA to act as its key gateway to the Kingdom. We are already seeing large volumes from TNT and the new partnership underlined today will be beneficial to both parties,” said Eng Khalid K Al-Mzel, director general of King Fahd International Airport. – TradeArabia News Service