Saudi Arabia Approves Makkah Airport and Metro Plans

Saudi Arabia has approved plans for the development of Makkah's first international airport and a new metro system, a move aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure in Islam's holiest city and improving access for millions of annual pilgrims.

Saleh AlRasheed, chief executive of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, announced the milestone on Thursday. In remarks to Harvard Business Review Arabia, he stated that executive studies for the Makkah International Airport have been completed, securing strategic, economic, and investment approvals. The project will proceed through partnerships with the private sector, diverging from traditional government funding to ensure long-term sustainability and operational efficiency. AlRasheed emphasized that the airport will be built to global standards while complementing nearby facilities, such as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, about 80 kilometers away.

Currently, Makkah lacks its own functional international airport, forcing most pilgrims to fly into Jeddah and complete the journey by road, a process that can take over 90 minutes during peak seasons like Hajj and Ramadan. The new airport is expected...