JEDDAH, 16 October 2006 — The General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) intends to invest SR30 billion in expanding airports in Jeddah, Madinah and Tabuk in order to meet a growing number of passengers and the requirements of two new domestic private airlines.
“The new expansion projects will enable these airports to cope with fast developments in the aviation industry and enhance their capabilities to serve as a major hub in the region,” said Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Al-Mulhim added that the Kingdom’s airports have the capacity to accommodate two private airlines, which are likely to begin operation by the end of this year.
The private airlines, which are to operate domestic flights, would reduce pressure on Saudia, he added.
The Civil Aviation Authority has already launched a $1.5 billion expansion for Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA), which is designed to accommodate the world’s largest aircraft, including A380s and will increase the airport’s annual capacity to 21 million passengers.
KAIA is the Kingdom’s main gateway for foreign pilgrims. The airport expansion involves the construction of two new terminals and renovation of the existing south terminal, a new concourse with 25 gates, three connector buildings and an extensive upgrade of landside and airside infrastructure facilities.
Last June, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah announced plans to convert Prince Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah into an international airport considering Madinah’s significant role in the Islamic world and the large turnout of pilgrims to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque year round.
Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, said the decision to upgrade Madinah Airport would help citizens and pilgrims enjoy improved travel facilities. It would also reduce the pressure on Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport.
Prince Sultan said he has instructed the head of civil aviation to speed up Madinah Airport’s expansion in order to make it an international airport. The crown prince has already permitted some foreign airlines to bring pilgrims directly to Madinah.
The new decision has increased the number of international airports in the Kingdom to four. The others are in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. There are plans to establish another international airport at King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, 200 km north of Jeddah.
Prince Sultan laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the Tabuk Regional Airport in November last year. He instructed GACA officials to carry out the project as quickly as possible.
The project will increase the airport’s present area of 33,779 square meters by 12,000 square meters. The airport will have new arrival and departure lounges and jet bridges to link the passengers from the gate to the plane.
Tabuk is the fourth largest regional airport in the Kingdom. The annual growth rate of passengers in the airport is estimated at 4.5 percent. The airport currently serves 60 domestic flights daily.
