Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has awarded a SR1.48-billion ($394 million) contract to Muhaidib Contracting Company for the expansion of Prince Naif Regional Airport in Al Qassim region of the kingdom, said a report.

GACA said the revamp plan includes a new 60,000-sq-m airport passenger terminal spread over four floors, including departure and arrival lounges and a baggage claim area, reported the Arab News.

It will also boast a VIP lounge of 3,500 sq m, a mosque covering an area of 1,600 sq m and the airport administration building which will measure 2,800 sq m. In addition, the project includes a large conference room, it stated.  Al Muhaidib Contracting Company’s three-year contract is part of the airport’s plans to cater to three million passengers annually on both domestic and international flights, said the report, citing a senior official.

The design of the airport is based on the sand dunes and oases in the Al Qassim region, stated Mohammed Al Mijlad, the airport general manager.

This will be reflected in the project’s buildings, especially the passenger terminal and mosque which will use the golden colours of sand, he added.