JEDDAH, 3 December 2005 — The Civil Aviation Corporation will build four new passenger lounges at the Haj Terminal of King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) at a cost of SR200 million, CAC President Abdullah Ruhaimy has said. Specialized companies have been invited to present their tenders to implement the project within a year on a BOT (build, operate and transfer) system. The new lounges will cover a total area of 37,500 square meters.
In comments published by Al-Madinah newspaper yesterday, Ruhaimy said the winner of the contract would profit reasonably by fees levied from airline companies, including Saudi Arabian Airlines, that use the facility.
Establishment of the new lounges comes as part of the government’s efforts to increase facilities for the pilgrims.
The CAC has already launched a $1.5 billion expansion plan for KAIA, the main gateway for pilgrims, to increase its capacity to 21 million passengers.
The expansion involves the construction of two new terminals and renovation of the South Terminal, a new concourse with 25 gates, three connector buildings and an extensive upgrade of landside and airside infrastructure facilities of the airport. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has stepped up preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage, which begins on Jan. 8. The Haj season will start in earnest today with the arrival of the first batch of pilgrims at the Haj Terminal from India and Pakistan.
The new domestic pilgrim law, approved by the Cabinet last Monday, has warned owners of Haj service companies that they would be fined SR10,000 to SR250,000 for negligence in services such as housing, food and transportation.
A six-member panel composed of representatives from the ministries of interior, Haj and commerce and industry will look into any complaints from pilgrims against the Haj service firms.
