Operated by TAV Airports, Turkey's leading global brand in airport operations, Madinah Airport Airport is selected as the best airport in the category of airports welcoming 4 to 20 million passengers amongst the airports in "The Middle East and North Africa Regions" at Routes Marketing Awards, one of the most prestigious events of the aviation sector.
Announced during the Middle East and North Africa Region Conference of Routes World Route Development Forum, the awarded airports were selected by a jury composed of airline planning specialists. More than 350 aviation specialists from the countries within the region and worldwide participated in the meeting held in Bahrain.
TAV Airports Marketing Director Aslıhan Çörtük stated, "We are glad to receive the Routes Award, one of the most significant events for airline companies and airport operators, thanks to our operations at Saudi Arabia’s Madinah Airport, which we have put into operation by an investment of US$1.2 billion. Located in the second most important city of the Islamic World, Madinah Airport has a particular importance to us. Madinah Airport, Saudi Arabia's first airport privatization project, is the first public-private sector collaboration project in the Gulf Region. TAV Airports welcomes Umrah and Hajj passengers at Madinah Airport. With this award, our operational success in the marketing sector is also officially recognized. We will continue working hard in order to provide the best travel experience to our passengers."
Madinah Airport hit to the top of Routes Awards in the category of airports welcoming “4 to 20 million passengers” leaving South Africa's Cape Town and Ethiopia’s Addis Abab airports behind. Dubai Airport is awarded in the category of airports welcoming "more than 20 million passengers" and Kilimanjaro Airport in in the category of airports welcoming "less than 4 million passengers".
TIBAH, which is formed by TAV and its partners Al Rajhi and Saudi Oger, took over the operations at Madinah Airport and began construction of the new terminal in June 2012 having been awarded the tender. The new terminal, which was constructed with an investment of $US 1.2 billion has just began trial operations. A new terminal building, apron and fast exit roads; new aircraft parking zone, renewed and extended runway, new taxi and connection roads, new connection roads to the airport and a car park have been completed up to now as part of the project.
In 2014, the capacity of the airport was increased to 8 million passengers per year from the existing capacity of 5.7 million passengers, through a new terminal building, an apron and fast exit roads. The capacity will be increased to 16 million passengers per year prior to the expiry of the concession period. TAV Airports, Al Rajhi and Saudi Oger have the right to operate the airport until 2037
