The completion of the first phase of King Abdul Aziz International Airport's development project by 2012 will help the airport handle 30 million passengers annually as against 13 million now, a Civil Aviation Authority official said here Friday. The official said the first stage, expected to cost about SR17 billion, includes the terminal complex, which will exceed 678,000 sq. meters and replace the northern and southern terminals, will enable all airlines to work under one roof. The complex will include an automated train to make it easier for passengers to get from terminals to departure gates, he added. The complex will have 46 gates connecting it to 92 jet bridges.About 51,700 square meters will be designated for commercial investment inside the complex. Outside the complex, 6.5 sq. km will be designated for airport-related activities such as hotels, aircraft hangers, light aviation industries, offices and business centers and museums, said the official, who added that thiscreates large and diverse investment opportunities for the private sector. The first stage of the development project also includes an 8,200-car parking lot that will be expanded to hold 26,000 vehicles. Part of the parking lot will be constructed in front of the terminal complex and will be linked to it by moving walkways, he said. This stage will also include contracting a cargo area with an annual capacity of 1 million tons, a new control tower and airplane runways.
