The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced plans to appoint a private-sector operator to manage the Jeddah airport by the second half of next year, said a report.

The GACA in February had terminated an agreement to allow a consortium consisting of Singapore’s Changi Airports International and Saudi Naval Support Company to manage King Abdul Aziz International Airport, a report in Arab News said.

According to Abdul Hakim Al-Bader, assistant to the GACA president for safety, security and transport, a new operator would be appointed next year following the official inauguration of the new airport terminal.

The terminal opened earlier this year, but as a “soft launch” with a limited number of flights, the report said.

The deal with Jeddah’s airport would not involve an outright sale of the facility, but allow a private-sector firm or consortium to invest in the airport as a partnership.