The first phase of the expanded King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia is due to open next year. The airport is located 19km north of Jeddah on the kingdom’s Red Sea coast.
Abdul Hamid Abul Ora, director of the airport said "The airport will have a capacity of 30 million passengers in the first phase, 45 million in the second phase, and up to 80 million in the final phase."
Work on King Abdulaziz started in September 2006. It will include three new terminal buildings and a high-speed rail link. One factor behind the expansion of the airport is the need to handle large number of pilgrims who are taking part in the hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which is close to the Jeddah airport.Â
Ora has said there are plans to establish an air cargo village to cater for the nearly 20% annual growth in cargo. The construction of this facility would take place once the airport is completed.Â
