Efforts have been stepped up to privatize King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam and to transform it into an integrated economic city, said Yousuf Al-Dhahiry, director general of the airport.

“The airport has made profit in 2013, and this is happening after years of financial deficit,” he said.

Al-Dhahiry highlighted KFIA’s efforts to attract more international airlines. “We have set up a marketing department and it has been successful in bringing more international airlines to the airport.”

He disclosed plans to develop KFIA to meet the requirements of passengers for the next 30 years. “The new expansion project will create a lot of investment opportunities,” he said, adding that the project would be completed by 2018.

Al-Dhahiry said the expansion plan would make KFIA more attractive for privatization.

He said a number of projects are being implemented now to develop the airport’s infrastructure, including its data network, flight system and modernization of the arrival and departure lounges.

The airport’s cargo hub would be operated by the middle of this year, the director general said. “We have signed contracts with five companies to operate the cargo hub,” he added.

The total number of passengers who used the airport annually has exceeded 7.5 million.

The airport located about 100 km away from downtown Dammam has been facing difficulty to get passengers and airlines.