TAV Airports has added Qassim and Hail airports in Saudi Arabia to its portfolio following its current holdings of Madinah and Yanbu. TAV, with its partner Al Rajhi Holding Group, will develop the two airports and operate them for 30 years.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has disclosed that they have selected TAV Airports, in partnership with Al Rajhi Holding Group, for operating Qassim and Hail International Airports for 30 years. Upon the closing of the selection process, the total number of airports operated by TAV worldwide will be 17 and the company will be operating four airports in Saudi Arabia.
TAV Airports President & CEO Sani Şener said, "With the addition of Qassim and Hail to our portfolio, the number of passengers in Saudi Arabia will increase to 10.5 million per annum; while the number of passengers at all airports abroad will reach 25 million."
TAV has holdings in the capital city airports of six countries in the Gulf region, which is the most challenging market in the world, Şener emphasized.
"We sustain our growth in the region by working in harmony with our local partners. Furthermore, we continue seizing opportunities in various regions worldwide," he added.
Providing services to approximately 2.5 million passengers last year, Qassim and Hail airports will reach an approximately 6.5 million passenger capacity per year thanks to the new investments.
Located in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, Qassim is one of the 13 administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Qassim Airport is the gateway to the region, where the majority of the country's agricultural production takes place, and is a significant tourism destination, and 12 airlines including Turkish Airlines have launched scheduled flights to the airport.
TAV has been operating Madinah Airport in Saudi Arabia since 2012. In March, the company was selected for the development and operation of Yanbu Airport. Furthermore, TAV has operations at Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam airports through its service companies.