Saudi Arabia to tender construction of first private airport in May-2010

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) General Manager Business Development, Alaa Samman, announced plans to launch an international tender in May-2010 for the construction of a USD1.9-2.1 billion airport in Madinah by 2014 to replace the existing Prince Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport (Arabian Business, 18-Mar-2010). The airport would be Saudi Arabia's first private airport. The successful bidder is likely to be announced by the end of 2010 or early 2011. Mr Samman confirmed construction would commence one year after awarding the contract and take two years to complete with capacity to handle 8 million passengers p/a.