The statement is seen as a response to an article published earlier this month in Al-Riyadh newspaper criticizing the state of the Kingdom’s domestic airports.
In response, GACA said there is a need for improvement, but this would take time and the public would see these improvements in four to five years. On completion of the projects, 23 airports will be ready to serve nine million passengers every year. Projects are of four types.
The first involves the building of three new airports including the SR158 million Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdul Aziz Airport to be built in Al-Ula and which is expected to serve 100,000 passengers; the SR13 million King Abdul Aziz Regional Airport to be established in Jazan; and the SR20 million Taif Regional Airport. The second category includes the total advancement of existing domestic airports, including Jazan Airport, which is expected to end in 2011 with a set budget of SR300 million. Tabuk regional airport will also be ready the same year and cost SR230 million.
The third category involves urgent development projects, including eight airports in Baha, Rafah, Sharoora, Al-Ahsa, Taif, Al-Wajh, Qassim, and Hail. A budget of SR62 million has been allocated for this. The fourth category is the preparation of general plans for 13 domestic airports. SR23 million has been allocated for design and architecture plans for airports in Hail, Araar, and Quraiat.
