Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — A number of tourist experts and Makkah residents have called for the establishment of an international airport in the holy city to serve pilgrims and visitors in light of the mega development projects currently being executed in the holy city. Speaking to Al-Riyadh newspaper, they said an air link between Makkah and Madinah would facilitate visits to the two holy cities and satisfy the need of an increasing population for easy and quick transport. Makkah residents were unanimous in their view that an international airport in their city was long overdue. They believed that the dream was not difficult to realize in view of the large uninhabited areas available outside the central zone around the Grand Mosque. They said these vast empty plots of land could be used for the construction of an international airport that would not only serve residents and pilgrims but also reduce pressure on King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and the Taif airport. Hamad Al-Ghammas, a businessman, said he had conducted a feasibility study about the significance of establishing an airport in Makkah. "With an area of 15,159 hectares and an annual population growth of 8.3 percent, Makkah is the third largest city in the Kingdom." Al-Ghammas expected the Makkah population to increase to 10 million by 2030. "Makkah is steadily growing with the expansion of surrounding villages and hamlets," he said, adding that the city is supervising 11 regions and 99 suburban districts. According to Al-Ghammas, rooms in hotels and furnished apartments occupy about 39.9 percent of the constructed area in Makkah, while commercial buildings occupy an area of 6.56 percent. This is considered a high ratio reflecting the significance of trade in the holy city. He said the increasing number of vehicles on the roads leading to Makkah makes the establishment of an airport a necessity. Quoting official statistics, Al-Ghammas said on the 27th night of Ramadan more than 2 million cars entered Makkah, while about 1.8 million leave it on that night. “Makkah is also a seasonal headquarters for government ministries, diplomatic and Haj missions in addition to senior government officials who are in charge of Haj affairs." Al-Ghammas said the establishment of the airport would enable the transit passengers to perform Umrah quickly. Abdullah Omar Qadi, deputy chairman of the National Umrah Committee, said the establishment of an airport in Makkah is a dream that has been on hold for a very long time. He said the airport would save visitors the two-hour road journey between Jeddah and Makkah. "When the airport is established the same journey will not take more than 30 minutes." Qadi noted that the number of Umrah pilgrims last year was about 6 million and said this number would reach 10 million when the expansion project of the Grand Mosque is completed. Saad Jameel Al-Qurashi, chairman of the transport committee of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the establishment of an international airport in Makkah will spare Haj and Umrah companies the time they usually spend in welcoming the pilgrims at KAIA, clearing their luggage and transporting them to Makkah.
