The step was taken to boost the region’s economic development and strengthen the Kingdom’s air transport industry, GACA said. “We have also taken this decision considering the growing passenger traffic to Yanbu,” a statement from the authority added.Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed has instructed the chief administrative officer in Yanbu to provide the airport with the required services in order for it to operate as a regional airport.Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah opened the newly expanded Prince Abdul Mohsen Airport in the industrial city in July 2009. Sprawling over an area of 8,500 square meters, the airport has new control towers, cargo facilities, security and safety systems.The new airport has modern aviation and passenger facilities to serve 600,000 travelers annually.

Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, signed a SR188 million contract in June 2006 with a national company to carry out the expansion project.