JEDDAH, 17 July 2006 -- Four new terminal buildings, a high-speed rail link and a capacity for up to 80 million passengers a year are among the targets proposed for the new Jeddah international airport. The new development should take place in three stages, the first of which could be completed in five years.
The project is designed to increase the airport's capacity initially from 13 million passengers by 30 million passengers each year. The expansion includes airfield hard standing and paved areas, lighting, fuel network systems and storm water drainage network. There will also be a newly constructed support services building, renovation of the existing South and North Terminals and upgrades to the existing runway and airfield systems to accommodate the Airbus A380.
The three stages, according to the Civil Aviation Authority, will be marked by an increase of capacity to 30 million, 60 million and eventually 80 million passengers per year. Based on current traffic increase, the existing South Terminal will need to serve about 21 million passengers per year over the next 20 years to meet growing demand. During the 2000 Haj season it received 2.6 million travelers and around one million pilgrims. The airport has to provide the facilities required for the service of pilgrims and those who visit the country to perform Umrah.
The project has reached the final stages of planning and design and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved a budget of SR900 million to build the futuristic new airport to international standards.
Abdullah Al-Rehaimy, president of the Civil Aviation Authority, has said that the project will be built by local companies.
The four new crescent-shaped passenger halls will be located to the south of the current international terminal which will be undergoing renovation at the same time.
Talal Saaty, speaking at a presentation of the project to Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed, said that work on the improvements could start as early as this coming September. Operational capacity for the airport, he said, would increase and denied that upgrading work would hamper traffic throughput. Work on renewing and upgrading the facilities, he said, would be timed to avoid peak traffic flow.
Access to the new terminals is still in the planning and purchasing stage. An extension of Prince Majed Street will make access direct and easy; the municipality is currently investigating the location of land needed for the proposed extension and is addressing the problem of the compulsory purchase of property and compensation.
Southward, Prince Majed Street will connect to the Al-Laith Highway, forming a fast north-south transit route.
As well as much improved road access, plans have been made for a high-speed rail link serving the airport. Starting at Prince Majed Street, the link will run into the airport and hook up with terminals.
By Roger Harrison
© Arab News 2006
