Al-Tamimi: Initial Soft Opening of the new KAIA is set for May of 2018

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Jeddah, 27 December 2018
The president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdul Hakeem bin Mohammed Al-Tamimi assured the importance of infrastructure of airport, roadways and transport sectors that are the largest area in governments spending. He also went on to praise Makkah region as one of the largest areas in terms of projects. In his speech at the Makkah Area Construction Conference, Al-Tamimi state that the country objective is to allow for 30 million pilgrims according to the vision 2030.
 
Al-Tamimi announced that the initial soft opening and operation of King Abdul-Aziz international airport in Jeddah is set for May of 2018. "this meeting will reflect the development in our country led by the Custodian of the Two  Holy mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, and what we’re witnessing of solid positive movements  and great developmental in order to achieve the 2030 vision" Al-Tamimi said .
Al-Tamimi added, Air transport as a preferred means where the number of pilgrims arriving by air for 2017 has reached (1.648.906) million for Hajj, and (5.664.208) million for Umrah,  His Excellency pointed out that the new KAIA is a huge project which includes terminals that covers an area of (810) m2, (200) check-in counters to, and (80) self-service counters. In addition, 70 airplanes that can be accommodated at the same time linking with terminal and 28 are connected to the tarmac.
 
The president of GACA stressed in his speech the importance of the new Taif International Airport, which will be built through the private sector and it will provide a comfortable experience for pilgrims and is expected to be opened in December of 2020.
 
Al-Tamimi also referred to the agreement by GACA with the new developer of Taif International Airport to develop the existing terminals to accommodate the pilgrims, adding that the next season is set to receive a large number of pilgrims coming to the kingdom through Taif airport.