The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) on Saturday announced the completion of the second phase of AlUla’s airport development project, a key component of its strategy to position the city as a major tourism destination and logistics hub.
The completed airside works can facilitate 15,000 aircraft movements per year required to serve the over 2,000,000 visitors to AlUla in 2035 and beyond.
The completion of the second phase of the airport development project, which was in collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), is in line with RCU’s aim to continue reopen the area in readiness to receive visitors in October.
Encompassing the renovation of the airport’s main terminal building and the expansion of the apron to add 6 Code C and larger 4 Code E Aircraft Stands, an additional 150,000m2 of taxiways with 2 additional connections to the runway, the second phase of the development project increases the airport’s annual capacity from 100,000 to 400,000 passengers.
The development project also included the construction of a VIP lounge terminal, built using local materials and reflecting the picturesque AlUla environment, its rich heritage and includes a range of other amenities to improve passenger experience.
In cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines, the Royal Commission for AlUla has also facilitated the resumption of flights from Riyadh to AlUla with four flights weekly flights. Flights to AlUla from Jeddah and other domestic cities are expected to resume soon. The airport will also be able to receive direct international flights.