Saudi Arabia will establish five new airports in the eastern, western, northern and southern regions of the country, the Arab News reported today.

Abdullah Al-Ruhaimy, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), announced plans for the new airports in remarks to reporters in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia currently has 27 airports, including three international airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. A fourth international airport is scheduled to be established in Madinah within four years.

The Kingdom plans to invest $5.4 billion [SR 20 billion] in new airport projects across the country, Al-Ruhaimy said.

He added that GACA has received offers from five companies competing for a contract to operate the country’s three international airports. The companies are from Singapore, the Netherlands, Turkey, Germany and France. A contract is likely to be awarded on November 21, 2007, he noted. Work will begin early in 2008 and continue until December 2013.

GACA has already completed plans to develop the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Al-Ruhaimy said. Plans are also underway to open the fourth terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. 

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