ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s leading airport operator TAV signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority to expand and operate an airport in the western port city of Yanbu, the company announced Thursday.
TAV Airports and its partner Al Rajhi Group will construct a new terminal at Yanbu Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport and operate the airport for 30 years, according to the statement.
The company also said that the airport at Yanbu has become the fifteenth on its portfolio.
"Yanbu is an important industrial hub hosting the oil refineries and the world's second busiest port. Located by the Red Sea, Yanbu also has a serious tourism potential, particularly thanks to its underwater treasures,” TAV CEO Sani Sener said.
“On the other hand, its proximity to both Mecca and Medina gives Yanbu a significant importance in terms of Hajj and Umrah traffic. We will endeavor to be a true representative of the country and realize the potential of Yanbu Airport," he added.
"Yanbu Airport will be the second airport in Saudi Arabia to be operated by TAV, following Madinah Airport [operated by TAV since 2012]," said the statement.
The company is expected to serve 1.2 million passengers in 2017, with the figure forecast to reach 3 million annually at the first phase of the project after the new terminal's construction is completed, it added.