Emir of the Medina region launches the second phase of the Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport development and expansion project

March 21, 2024

Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Medina Region and Chairman of the Regional Development Authority Council, inaugurated and witnessed the signing ceremony for the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport development and expansion project on March 21, 2024. The inauguration took place 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 (GACA), Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, and His Excellency the CEO of the Region Development Authority, Engineer Fahd bin Muhammad Al-Balaihishi.

The project aims to raise the airport’s capacity by the end of 2027 to 17 million passengers at a cost of one billion riyals. Work under the project includes doubling the airport’s current capacity of 8 million passengers annually. The passenger lounge will be expanded, with its capacity raised to 12 million passengers annually. In addition, a new passenger lounge for domestic flights will be established, with a capacity of 3.5 million passengers annually. The old passenger lounge will be retained to provide a reserve capacity for international flights estimated at 1.5 million passengers annually. In addition, a new administrative office building will be constructed.

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 advancing the civil aviation sector and bringing it to an unprecedented stage of efficiency and innovation. He said the expansion project aims to enhance the experience of pilgrims and Umrah performers, stimulate economic growth, and achieve ambitious development and tourism goals in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. He highlighted the exceptional role of Medina as a major aviation hub and an essential destination for pilgrims.

The Emir also sponsored the signing ceremony of an agreement between Saudi Airlines and Taiba Airport Operating Company, which aims to expand operations and operational capabilities to and from Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport by connecting Medina with cities around the world. These efforts will help double the percentage of visits in light of the development and enrichment projects taking place in the region.

The agreement supports the program’s efforts to modernize and develop the air fleet during the coming years, and enhance the ground and air travel experience in accordance with the latest standards of the air transport industry. It will expand upon the contributions and initiatives the national carrier has achieved thus far towards the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and facilitating the hosting of 30 million pilgrims by the year 2030.

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) in place since mid-2012. It is ranked 52nd on the list of the top 100 airports in the world and received first place award for two years in a row (2021-2022) from the Airports Council International, as the best regional airport in the Middle East. The airport has also received many international and local awards and recognitions that place it among the best international airports in the Skytrax classification.