Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed during their visit to the projects at the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah recently.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed reviewed the New King Abdul Aziz Airport (KAIA) project by visiting the site recently. A number of officials from the Civil Aviation Authority and the project contractor were present during the visit.

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal described the new airport project as a global project that would be a milestone in the development of Jeddah and will serve visitors of the city and pilgrims in the best way possible.

Prince Khaled said that according to the project officials, the project is going well and is expected to be ready by the end of 2016. This would be followed immediately by a commissioning phase and operational testing to ensure that the airport’s systems are functioning optimally. Following this, the airport is expected to receive international flights by the middle of 2017.

Prince Khaled said the new airport will be a source of pride for the people of Jeddah, Makkah and the next generation and will have the capacity to accommodate at least 30 million passengers.

He praised the work of the officials of the Civil Aviation Authority, project contractors and all those responsible for the completion of the project.

Prince Khaled also said that he hopes that this huge project will serve as a symbol of pride not only for Jeddah but for the whole Kingdom.

According to the project officials, nearly 86 percent of the construction work is now finished, with the completion of the core business lounge, a 136-meter-high control tower and supporting facilities, roads, bridges and infrastructure, including a complex of rain drainage network.

The air navigation system installation is now under way in the tower. The new airport will include a 33-kilometer-long conveyor belt, automatic train to transport international passengers, and around 96 air bridges for serving aircraft of different sizes, of which 4 bridges will serve the Airbus 380.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), with almost 110 companies specialized in the operation of international airports, 26,000 engineers and workers, and approximately 2,600 pieces of equipment and machinery, are keen to complete the new KAIA project by the middle of 2017.

It should be noted that the new airport will be able to serve 70 aircraft at any given time, with all fuel and water to be supplied through underground pipes.

The first phase facilities for the project include a terminal complex measuring over 720,000 square meters in size, allowing all airlines to operate under one roof. There will be five lounges for first class and business class passengers, two for departing international flights and two for departing domestic flights, while the fifth is for other passengers connecting with international and domestic flights.

A mosque accommodating approximately 3,000 people with an outdoor prayer yard over 2,450 square meters and an upper level for at least 700 females will also be available in the new complex.

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