His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Medina Region and Chairman of the Regional Development Authority Council, inaugurated the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport development and expansion project, which aims to raise the airport’s capacity by the end of 2027 to 17 million passengers at a cost of 1.2 million passengers. One billion riyals, in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, and His Excellency the CEO of the Region Development Authority, Engineer Fahd bin Muhammad Al-Balaihishi.
The project work includes working to double the current capacity of 8 million passengers annually, as the passenger lounge will be expanded and allocated to international flights and the capacity will be raised to 12 million passengers annually, in addition to establishing a new passenger lounge for domestic flights with a capacity of 3.5 million passengers annually, and reconfiguration. The old passenger lounge to provide a reserve capacity for international flights estimated at 1.5 million passengers annually, in addition to constructing an administrative office building for the entities operating at the airport.
His Highness witnessed the signing ceremony of the contract for the expansion of Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, where the contract was signed by Taiba Airport Development Company, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Ibrahim bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, and by “TAV Construction” Company, representing the alliance of “TAV Construction” and “Al-Arrab Contracting” companies. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Mustafa Sani Sener.
His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, explained that the launch of the second phase of the airport development and expansion project is an important step in achieving the advancement of the civil aviation sector and bringing it to an unprecedented stage of efficiency and innovation in light of the unlimited attention and support that the sector receives from our wise leadership. - May God support her -, pointing out that the expansion project aims to enhance the experience of pilgrims and Umrah performers, stimulate economic growth, and achieve ambitious development and tourism goals within the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, pointing to the exceptional role of Medina as it is a major aviation hub and an essential destination for the guests of God.
On the other hand, His Highness the Emir of the Medina region sponsored the signing ceremony of an agreement between Saudi Airlines and Taiba Airport Operating Company, aiming to expand operations and operational capabilities to and from Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport by working to connect Medina with cities in the world, which contributes to doubling The percentage of visits in light of the development and enrichment projects taking place in the region.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency the Director General of the Saudi Group, Engineer Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Taiba Airport Operating Company, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Rajhi.
The agreement supports the executive steps of the program to modernize and develop the air fleet during the coming years, and enhance the ground and air travel experience in accordance with the latest findings in the air transport industry, as an extension of the contributions and initiatives of the national carrier in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and facilitating the hosting of 30 million pilgrims by the year 2030, God willing.
It is noteworthy that Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina is the first airport in the Kingdom to be built and operated entirely by the private sector according to the build, re-ownership and operation method (BTO) since mid-2012 AD. It is ranked 52nd on the list of the top 100 airports in the world and received the award. First place award as the best regional airport in the Middle East for two years in a row 2021-2022 according to the Airports Council International classification. It also received many international and local awards and recognitions that placed it among the best international airports in the Skytrax classification.