Arab News   
 
JEDDAH, Jul 10: After a year of work on developing and modernizing the King Abdul Aziz International Airport, passengers will be able to see the difference next week.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who was on an inspection tour of the airport’s Southern Terminal yesterday, praised the development, saying, “As of next week, there will be a visible improvement in airport services. The airport lounges will be different and facilities will be upgraded.”

Prince Khaled pointed out that this was a vital first step, the next one being the construction of a new airport. “I expect the next phase to be even more advanced,” he said.

The prince noted that a number of development projects in Jeddah would also be announced soon by the municipality.

Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Abdullah Ruhaimy, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saleh Al-Turki, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, along with other top officials accompanied the prince during his visit.

Ruhaimy stated that 80 percent of the work on the Southern Terminal, which is popularly known as the Saudia Terminal, had been completed. He said that by the end of this month, the final touches would be put on the new airport’s design. The project consists of 24 stages and the work on other stages will begin this year. He said the new airport would be operational by 2012.

The Haj Terminal is also undergoing an expansion and 40 percent of the work will be completed before this year’s Haj