Work is due to begin at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madina following the completion of a study on the requirements for the next 25 years. The expansion is expected to benefit hotel, restaurant, and shopping sectors with airport's capacity expected to be increased from 400,000 passengers a month to a million. The expansion would put the Madina airport in competition with major international and regional hubs. The SR4 billion project, which involves hangars for 10 aircraft and terminals for Haj and Umrah pilgrims with automatic walkways is expected to be completed in 2012. The project would also create 5,000 new jobs. The airport became an international facility last year following a decision from King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. – Okaz __
