Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Tibah Airports Development Company have announced the opening of the new terminal at Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport (PMIA) in Madinah Al-Munawarah.

The project consists of a new terminal of 156,940 m² of terminal space on three floors, 16 aircraft stands served by passenger boarding bridges and 20 remote apron stands. The project also includes the implementation of a widened and extended runway.

GACA, as Grantor, has contracted with Tibah, as Investor, through a 25-year build operate and transfer (BOT) agreement which is the first airport privatization in Saudi Arabia. The Tibah consortium, which comprises TAV Airports with Al Rajhi and Saudi Oger, appointed a contractor consortium comprising TAV Airports and ACC to design and construct Phase 1 facilities. The value of the contract was approximately US$ 1.2 billion.

The new terminal and airfield is built to the highest international standards and allows for an initial operating capacity of 8 million passengers per year. The terminal is modular to allow for expansion in Phase 2 to suit the expected future increases in passenger and aircraft traffic, with state-of-the-art facilities affirming PMIA's current and future role as a major gateway for scheduled passengers, as well as Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims to the Holy City of Madinah and the greater Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The project includes a mosque for 1,000 worshippers, and 20 support buildings including dedicated Hajj facilities for Hajj passengers, and a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Building.

CH2M was appointed jointly by GACA and Tibah to be the independent engineer for the project. CH2M reviewed the design and provided a team on site to monitor that the facilities were in accordance with the agreed technical requirements.

Joe Stratford, CH2M's Project Director, said:

"This iconic infrastructure project will facilitate increasing growth in passenger numbers and aircraft movements through provision of world-class modern airport airfield, passenger terminal and landside infrastructure. We are proud to have had the opportunity to play a significant role in the successful and timely delivery of these new facilities."