About Tibah Airports
Recognizing the pivotal role of the private sector in economic development, the Saudi government launched its vision to privatize the air transport sector in the Kingdom. With the growing demand for air travel, especially from pilgrims visiting Madinah, there was an urgent need to modernize this sector. In response, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques directed the transformation of Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport into an international airport.
The Supreme Economic Council approved the involvement of the private sector in the development and operation of the airport, making it a pioneering model for public-private partnership projects. This collaboration, supported by the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), resulted in granting a long-term concession to Tibah Airports Development Company in 2011. This project, financed through Islamic financing worth $1.2 billion, is the first full public-private partnership in airport development in the region and forms part of GACA's broader strategy to modernize aviation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
Airport Inauguration
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, inaugurated the new Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport on July 2, 2015, marking a historic milestone in the Kingdom's aviation sector. The expansion project, costing $1.2 billion, included the construction of a new three-story terminal building spanning 156,940 square meters, equipped with 16 aircraft stands and boarding bridges, significantly enhancing the airport's capacity and improving the passenger experience.
This expansion aims not only to serve millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims but also to boost economic growth through international trade and tourism. With Phase 1 capacity of 8 million passengers annually, capacity will increase to 18 million in Phase 2 and reach 27 million passengers in Phase 3. The airport expansion is a key element in infrastructure development and socio-economic growth in Madinah, creating new job opportunities and enhancing economic activity in the region.
Tibah Airports Operation Company
Tibah Airports Operation Company manages and operates Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and is the first private sector company to manage and operate an airport in Saudi Arabia, having commenced operations in mid-2012.
Tibah Airports operates the airport around the clock to serve more than 8 million passengers annually, providing the best services to all travelers through the airport.