Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi Arabia is set to hire a new operator from the private sector for the-state owned Jeddah Airport in the second half of 2019, domestic media sources reported, according to Arabian Business.

This decision will not lead to sell the airport, but it will allow a private sector company, or large number of firms to pump investments in the facility, Abdul Hakim Al-Bader, assistant to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) president for safety, security and transport stated.

“The process of privatisation has already started, but I do not think that the airport will be privatised during H1-19,” Al-Bader added.

The number of passengers who transited via Jeddah Airport last year jumped 9.6%, reaching 34 million, compared to 2016.