Sultan Signs First Jeddah Airport Expansion Deal

JEDDAH, 24 January 2007 — Crown Prince Sultan yesterday signed an SR902.91 million ($240.77 million) contract with Al-Mabani Company to develop and upgrade aviation facilities of Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport as part of a massive expansion project to increase its annual capacity to 80 million passengers.

“This is the first contract for the expansion project,” a statement by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said, adding that it would be completed in 36 months. “The contract covers expansion of the airport’s tarmac and runways in order to increase its annual capacity to 80 million passengers,” the statement said.

The work will also include construction of a new aircraft parking facility west of the Haj Terminal as well as modernization of ground lights systems and information technology infrastructure.

The new expansion project, which is estimated to cost SR18 billion ($4.8 billion), will enable the airport to receive large jumbo jets, including the A380, the 555-seat Airbus jet taking to the skies this year after much publicized delays.

The Jeddah airport expansion is significant as it represents the Kingdom’s main gateway for millions of foreign pilgrims. The expansion involves the construction of two new terminals and renovation of the existing South Terminal, a new concourse with 25 gates, three connector buildings and an extensive upgrade of landside and airside infrastructure facilities.