Saudi Crown Prince Unveils Blueprint for New Abha International Airport

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who serves as the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs in Saudi Arabia, has officially unveiled the master plan for the forthcoming Abha International Airport.

The redesigned Abha airport has the overarching goal of harmonizing its architectural features with the rich heritage of the Asir region, thereby transforming it into a prominent landmark within the Kingdom. As part of this plan, the terminal area will undergo a significant expansion, reaching 65,000 square meters, with the first phase scheduled for completion by 2028. This represents a substantial increase from the current 10,500 square meters at the existing airport. The expansion includes the construction of passenger boarding bridges, self-service amenities to streamline travel procedures, and high-capacity parking facilities.

The airport’s design will be a reflection of the unique architectural identity of the Asir region and will serve as a showcase of Saudi culture. This design is intended to provide travelers with a distinct and efficient travel experience, ensuring seamless services for both visitors and passengers. Moreover, the airport’s capacity will be expanded to accommodate more than 13 million passengers annually, marking a tenfold increase from the current capacity of 1.5 million passengers. The airport will also handle an impressive number of more than 90,000 flights each year, a significant increase from the current 30,000 flights. Furthermore, the new airport will incorporate 20 gates and 41 check-in counters, including 7 new self-service check-in stations.

The anticipated transformation of the Abha airport is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the allure of the Aseer region as a desirable tourist destination. This development will align with Aseer’s regional growth strategy and the aviation plan that is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to increase air connectivity to 250 destinations and transport 330 million passengers.