Abha International Airport is set to be overhauled as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveils Saudi Arabia's latest move to transform its travel sector.
The hub in Asir, a province in the country's south-west, will grow from 10,500 square metres to 65,000 square metres during its first phase, which is set to be completed by 2028.
The airport’s capacity will increase to accommodate more than 13 million passengers annually, up from 1.5 million. It will also be able to handle more than 90,000 flights per year, trebling the current capacity.
It is set to have 20 gates along with 41 check-in counters and seven self-service check-in desks.
The expansion also includes the construction of passenger boarding bridges, self-service facilities and more parking infrastructure.
The design of the new airport aims to reflect the architectural identity of the Asir region and showcase Saudi culture. The project is aimed at offering a high-efficiency experience with seamless services for travellers.
Construction of Abha airport started in 1975 and it opened two years later. In April, it was listed among four airport projects by Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Privatisation and the Public-Private Partnership.
The aviation strategy aligns with the kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to increase air connectivity to 250 destinations and transport 330 million passengers.
Other ongoing tourism projects in the country include Neom, the Red Sea Development and Qiddiya.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
THE SPECS
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
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If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Roger Federer's 2018 record
Australian Open Champion
Rotterdam Champion
Indian Wells Runner-up
Miami Second round
Stuttgart Champion
Halle Runner-up
Wimbledon Quarter-finals
Cincinnati Runner-up
US Open Fourth round
Shanghai Semi-finals
Basel Champion
Paris Masters Semi-finals
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
