GACA Chief: Madinah Airport Expansion to Boost Capacity to 18 Million Passengers by 2027

Abdulaziz al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA), announced that the expansion project of Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah will increase its capacity from 8 to 18 million passengers. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2027.

The statement was made at the 6th Hajj Conference and Exhibition held at Jeddah Superdome. According to al-Duailej, the aviation sector plays a key role in implementing the objectives of the pilgrimage services program, and with the support of the country's leadership, work is being carried out throughout the year to ensure the comfort and convenience of pilgrims during the Hajj season at six major airports.

Records and Development of Jeddah Airport

The GACA chief noted that King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah served a record 52 million passengers last year. Currently, a number of development projects are underway aimed at expanding operational capabilities and improving service quality for passengers and pilgrims. These include:

• modernization and reconstruction of Terminal 4 to serve more than 15 million passengers;
• development of terminals for Hajj pilgrims with a capacity of up to 16 million passengers;
• expansion of Terminal 1.

Initiatives for Pilgrims

Al-Duailej emphasized that the aviation sector is one of the fundamental elements in implementing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the pilgrimage services program. He also mentioned that the «Traveler Without Baggage» program has served nearly 4.5 million pilgrims since its launch approximately four years ago, and approximately 6.7 million pieces of baggage have been processed and transported from the place of residence to the aircraft.

According to the GACA chief, these measures are among the initiatives aimed at reducing wait times and simplifying procedures for travelers, along with expanding group movement services, electronic gates, and the «Makkah Route» initiative.

Al-Duailej added that GACA evaluates airlines based on their commitment to improving passenger service. Additionally, work is underway to automate the pilgrims' journey through the implementation of «smart» routes and electronic gates at airports, which will allow passport control to be completed in less than a minute.

Sources: Saudi Gazette

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