The new King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is expected to open by the end of this year following completion of a large-scale, multi-million dollar expansion, officials report. Prince Fahd bin Abdullah, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, told Arab News that roughly 60 percent of the work is already finished and that construction will accelerate to meet the deadline. Operations are planned to begin within the first five months of 2015.
The redevelopment includes two new terminals dedicated to domestic and international travelers. In its initial phase the expanded airport will handle up to 30 million passengers annually, with a final phase capacity of as many as 80 million passengers per year. Upgrades feature expanded passenger lounges, a new concourse building equipped with 25 passenger boarding bridges, connector buildings linking terminals, refurbishment of the existing South Terminal, and an enlarged car park to accommodate increased traffic.
These improvements aim to modernize passenger flow and services while supporting significant growth in air traffic to and from Jeddah. The project’s phased approach allows the airport to increase capacity incrementally as new facilities come online, helping to reduce congestion and improve transfer times for both domestic and international travelers.
Terminal enhancements will provide more gates and boarding bridges, additional lounge space, and upgraded passenger amenities. The connector buildings are designed to streamline movement between terminals and the concourse, while the renovated South Terminal will be brought up to current standards to ensure a consistent experience across the airport.
When fully complete, the airport will serve as a major regional hub with greatly increased capacity and modern infrastructure to support both commercial traffic and the peak travel periods associated with the region’s religious and business travel demands. The surrounding ground transportation and parking facilities are also being expanded to match the higher passenger volumes and improve accessibility for private vehicles and public transport.
The phased opening schedule and the scope of the project reflect an effort to deliver substantial capacity gains and service improvements within a defined timeline, minimizing disruption while enabling the airport to meet future travel demand.
You may also like:
Jeddah: A Commercial Center Hailed As The Most Cosmopolitan City In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
Jeddah: Arabian Nights