RIYADH, 26 July 2005 — Governor of Tabuk Prince Fahd ibn Sultan ibn Abdul Aziz has announced that the Tabuk Airport will have a facelift in the near future, a source in the governorate told Arab News.
The prince met local sheikhs and citizens of the city at his residence early this week who told him of the limitations of the current airport which, due to its small size, could not accommodate two airplanes arriving in the airport’s terminal at the same time.
“I have looked at the plans regarding the development of the airport of Tabuk,” the governor was quoted telling the citizens, “and God willing, the new airport will be among the finest in the Kingdom.”
Prince Fahd also said that the bidding for contracts for the construction of the new airport would begin within two months, adding that he had already given his directives to solve temporarily the problems at the domestic terminal.
He added that the new airport would allow the city to receive more flights from other cities in the Kingdom as a result of the increasing inflow of passengers.
The expansion of Tabuk’s airport is expected to be on the west side on the 1,200 sq m. site. After completion the new two-story airport building will have several arrival and departure terminals that will enable the airport to receive several flights at once. There will be a Royal Terminal and several public service facilities. Bridges and tunnels are also expected to be built in the city for travelers to reach the airport from the city’s perimeter.
The official inauguration of the new airport after its expansion is expected to be in November.
