New hub in Saudi Arabia
A new, state-of-the-art terminal is due to open at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in mid-2018, bringing urgently needed service standards.
Jeddah Airport is repeatedly named as one of the worst airports in the Middle East region. This dishonorable distinction should soon be history. A new terminal, which is now in the home straight after a 12-year development phase that began in 2011, is due to start operations with a soft opening on May 1, 2018.
During the Connoisseur Circle site visit to the new terminal, it quickly becomes clear that this will be an important hub for civil aviation in the future. The check-in area comprises eight zones with 220 counters and 80 self-check-in kiosks. A 750-metre-long underground transport system - Automated People Mover - will transport passengers from passport control to the international gates. The total distance from check-in to the furthest gate is around one kilometer. Spacious shopping areas, restaurants and airline lounges are a matter of course. There is also a 120-room transit airport hotel. And, of course, a large 6,700 square meter mosque that can accommodate 3,700 visitors.
Phase 1 of the terminal will provide 30 million passengers per year with state-of-the-art comfort in all the necessary areas of an airport. Around seven billion US dollars will be invested in the entire infrastructure. In the final stage, the terminal can be expanded to a capacity of up to 100 million passengers.
Jeddah Airport will now finally play an important role in the network of the global SkyTeam alliance, of which Saudi Arabian Airlines is a member. For the IATA winter 2018/2019 flight schedule, Saudia plans to realign its flight plans and market Jeddah as a global hub.
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