Saudi civil aviation authorities said about 90 per cent of the new airport project in Jeddah, which comprises the existing King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), has been completed.

The airport, which is spread over a 670,000-sq-m area, will boast 82 domestic, international and VIP lounges in addition to 96 air bridges, reported The Saudi Gazette.

It will serve about 30 million passengers in its first phase starting early 2018, it added.

The new Jeddah airport is one of the vital development projects in the giant economic city, stated Deputy Minister of Transport Saad Al Khalab while briefing Deputy Emir Prince Abdullah Bin Bandar on the project.

Khalab said following the completion of Phase I, the airport will serve about 30 million passengers, followed by 55 million in Phase II and 100 million in the final phase.

“The new airport will be able to receive the new generation of aircraft and will be a pivotal air facility in the region,” he added.

On its other ambitious development, Haramain Express Train project, Khalab said it would be ready by the end of this year.

"The train will cross the 450-km distance between Makkah and Madinah, in just over two hours. It has been designed to serve about 60 million pilgrims and residents by 35 well-equipped, fast and comfortable trains," he added.