Civil Aviation Privatization to Distribute Rest of Kingdom's Airports

---

Riyadh September 20, 2017
Mr. Muhammed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Shattwi , the assistant of president of the GACA for financial affairs said that the idea of privatization will be distributed to all kingdom's airports  will be transferred to companies with special controls , including national capacities also technical and administrative personnel that capable of innovation. The authority will guard to strengthen this approach in line with the country goals according to the 2030 vision.
 
At the third meeting of "Dewaniat Al-Elamien"  which convened in GACA under the subject " The economic impact of the privatization of the General Authority of Civil Aviation " to a modern project for the rehabilitation of King Khalid international Airport in Riyadh, and will be operated after Hajj season immediately . The airport will have a modern physical boom at the four terminals, and the designs will come in a modern architectural style after the successful experience that done in the construction of the terminal 5 for internal flights, He said.
 
Also he pointed out that the privatization processes of King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah will begin in second half of 2018 under Singapore's "Changi" company management, which is manage operates for 20 years and its one of the best companies in the world.
 
GACA will separate the Civil Aviation Holding Company from the Authority. Accordingly, that company will be responsible for the operations of all kingdom's airports where the Authority will continue its role in the legislative of the aviation and air transport sectors. King Fahad international Airport was established in Dammam to implement this aim. And Companies will continue to be established for all airports, with the future holding of the Civil Aviation Holding Company by the Public Investment Fund (PIP) 100%, Al- Shattwi pointed out .
 
He also mentioned that the most important benefits result from the privatization of the" Civil Aviation Authority" is the lack of country's financial burdens in the future plans for this companies , in addition to create new employment opportunities for youth and minimize the unemployment , thus increase the state economy . He also stressed in the experience of Prince Muhammad bin AbdulAziz Airport in Madinah through a Saudi-Turkish alliance (AlRajhi and Turkish company TAV) with build, transfer project then operation for 25 years. In response to a question about the Authority's intention to establish parallel airports in some areas reduce the pressure on existing airports. Riyadh airport is an example, which was created before 50 years ago and has 4 runways to receive airplanes that are currently used, Mr. Muhammad Shattwi said.
 
Then He stated that the Authority will develop the existing airports in Qassim and Hail, also the establishment of a new airport in Taif by BTO system with Operator Company. The small airports in the cities relate to the transport lines at large airports and help to solve many problems of transport and contribute to revitalization of air traffic and tourism of kingdom's cities, he added.
 
He stressed in the importance of exerting all efforts with the authorities to provide the best services especially with the kingdom situation which is the country of the tow Holy Mosques and receives millions of pilgrims and visitors annually.
 
Providing the support services is the basic role of GACA , and its projects that support the national product and provide employment opportunities for Saudis , which is confirm the Authority's effort to implement privatization programs to the benefit of its customers and pilgrims and improve services and control the quality, He appoint out.