JEDDAH: The private sector will be brought in to help develop King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) into a central travel hub in the region to boost its contribution to the economy. This is according to Prince Fahd Bin Abdullah, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Civil Aviation Affairs, Vice Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Chairman of the Supervising Committee of KAIA. The development will include tackling challenges concerning the airport's capacity and attracting air traffic, he added. Prince Fahd was speaking Sunday at a meeting of the Supervising Committee at his office in Jeddah. The Prince said the civil aviation sector is supported by the King and Crown Prince who realize the significance of it as a strong driver of the national economy, and an ideal investment vehicle. He said the level of services at the airport is still below standard, but measures are underway to improve passenger services. The most important measure was ensuring that, over time, the attitude of the workforce is changed. Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Kareem Al-Anqari, Executive Deputy of the Chairman of the CAA, said the new KAIA project, with its size, large budget and urban and economic impact, represents the beginning of ambitious development projects in Makkah Province and other parts of the country. He said the support for the project by the King and the Crown Prince, and the close attention of Prince Fahd Bin Abdullah, has given this project great momentum. He said several government and private bodies have cooperated with the CAA on the expansion plans. The approval of this large development project, one of the largest in the Middle East and perhaps in the world, gives the CAA confidence and optimism for a prosperous air travel industry in the country, he added.
