Saudi airport opens new international terminal

Saudi aviation officials said on Sunday that a new international terminal had opened at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al Madinah province.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said the new facilities had been launched to improve services to visitors and pilgrims.

It added that work was continuing to develop the runway of Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to accommodate five superjumbo planes at the same time.

The operation of the new terminal is part of the GACA's plan for the development of various airports across the kingdom, it said in a statement published by state news agency SPA.

Last month, plans were announced to develop King Abdulaziz International Airport, which is the home base for Saudi Arabian Airlines and the entry point for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

The airport will be expanded in three phases, reaching an ultimate capacity of 80 million annual passengers by 2035.