Saudi airport expansion plan set for 2019 completion

ROYAL APPROVAL: King Abdullah was shown the latest plans for the expansion of Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. (Getty Images)

Expansion plans for Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, that aims to increase the airport’s annual capacity to 12 million passengers, are due for completion in 2019, it has been announced.

The airport project was first announced in 2006 and is now due to be completed in three phases before 2019, Abdullah Al-Ruhaimy, president of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), said after showing King Abdullah the latest plans.

The project includes the construction of a second runway as well as a new passenger lounge covering an area of 256,000 square metres, renovation of the existing runway and the construction of commercial areas.

The decision to expand the holy city's airport has been taken amid the growing number of pilgrims who visit Madinah every year, Arab News reported on Thursday.

Aviation chiefs also hope the project will reduce the pressure on King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the main gateway for foreign pilgrims.

King Abdullah inspected the airport’s development plan before leaving for Riyadh after a three-day visit to the holy city.

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