DAMMAM: The fencing of a SR200 billion piece of land adjacent to King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has angered citizens who claim they own it.

Thirty-six real estate agents claim that 15,000 citizens own pieces of the 200 million square meter property and are planning to sue the regulatory body.

Ahmed Al-Abbasi, KFIA’s public relations manager, said that the land has been fenced according to official documentation in the possession of the KFIA, which outlines the exact boundaries of the property.

He said there had been significant encroachments on the property, which forms part of the country’s largest airport. Those who allegedly own parts of the land must deal with those who issued them title deeds, he said.

He said that the KFIA plans to build several new facilities including a petrol station, huge shopping complex, hospital, exhibition and conference halls, and long-term parking. It also plans to expand its cargo facility, said Al-Abbasi.

Real estate agent Hassan Al-Qahtani said a letter would be sent to GACA with complaints by agents affected by the fencing of the property, stating that the land is owned by citizens.

A person who claimed he owns part of the land said that he had received no notice that GACA would fence it. He said that owners have title deeds issued by the Ministry of Justice, which means that it could not have also had documentation that GACA owns the land. He claimed that GACA does not have title deeds proving its ownership.