Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz Airport expansion to be complete by mid-2018

Singapore-based Changi Airport Group is set to begin pilot operations at the phase 1 expansion of Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) by mid-2018, coinciding with next Hajj pilgrimage season, Al Eqtisadiah newspaper reported, citing the company’s spokesman.

The firm plans to link the new airport with the new metro and railway network, said the spokesman, adding that a new management team was formed to operate and develop the new airport under a 20-year concession.

KAIA will comprise several transport facilities, a baggage handling system in addition to a 720,000 square meter terminal, which will be completed by 2018.

The King Abdulaziz Airport has been undergoing expansion since 2006. The expansion is set to increase KAIA’s capacity to 43 million passengers a year by 2025, and 80 million passengers by 2035.  It is the main airport that receives millions of pilgrims a year to Makkah.

In April, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) awarded Changi Airport Group a 20-year contract to operate Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, Argaam reported.