By Ibrahim Alawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Six gates will be allocated for domestic flights when the first phase of the new King Abdulaziz International Airport is launched at the end of 2018, according to an announcement by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

The test operation of the first phase will take place in May.

The new airport is located 19 kilometers north of Jeddah.

It is expected to handle 30 million passengers a year. Once the airport is fully operational, it will handle 100 million passengers a year.

The second phase will serve 55 million passengers.

The airport boasts of advanced facilities that help it handle giant airplanes such as A380 and create lucrative investment opportunities for the private sector.

The quality of services provided to passengers will be of the highest international standards.

Last month GACA terminated the contract that it awarded to Changi Airports International (CAI)–led consortium to manage and operate the new King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA).

“New tenders will be invited in a public bidding, which will be announced shortly.

This procedure will not affect the timetable set for the initial opening and experimental operation of the new airport in May this year,” said GACA sources.

GACA emphasized that the decision is consistent with the terms and conditions of the contract signed between the two parties.