Construction starts on US$ 7.2 billion Jeddah terminal

Saudi Binladin Group has begun construction work on the new SAR 27.1 billion (US$ 7.2 billion) King Abdul Aziz terminal at Jeddah international airport.

The three-year project involves building a 670000 m2 terminal and 94 aircraft bays, new road infrastructure and a high-speed railway linking Jeddah with Mecca and Medina.

A 133 m high airport control tower is also planned - the tallest in the world, according to the Saudi airports authority. The new terminal will replace the two ageing facilities which currently handle airport traffic.

Passenger capacity at Jeddah airport should rise from 17 million to 30 million when the project is completed.

Saudi Binladin Group won the contract for the project in November 2010.