Malham Airport approved to join Saudi Arabia’s expanding aviation network

The announcement comes amid a period of unprecedented growth for Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry. Shutterstock
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Updated 10 April 2025
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Malham Airport approved to join Saudi Arabia’s expanding aviation network

RIYADH: Malham Airport is set to begin serving the Saudi public after the General Authority of Civil Aviation approved the site to be added to the Kingdom’s air transport network.

The facility has been designated a specialized general aviation airport, a move that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to transform the Kingdom into a global nexus for business and tourism. 

Situated approximately 70 km north of downtown Riyadh and spanning 1.44 million sq. meters, the facility is built to accommodate over 25,000 flights per year. 

The airport will serve as a comprehensive hub, offering integrated services aimed at attracting investors, nurturing local talent, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position in the global aviation industry. 

Located in a rapidly developing region, the facility benefits from proximity to major international events such as the World Defense Exhibition and the LEAP Tech Conference.

This development is part of a broader strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and strengthen its logistics and connectivity framework. 

The announcement comes amid a period of unprecedented growth for Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry. 

In 2024, the sector achieved record-breaking milestones, including a surge in passenger traffic, the expansion of airline fleets, and the launch of Riyadh Air— the Kingdom’s newest flagship carrier, which recently secured its Air Operator Certificate.

Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air aims to connect over 100 international destinations by 2030, contributing an estimated $20 billion to the national economy. 

Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, with targets to serve 330 million passengers across 250 destinations and transport 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo annually by the end of the decade. 

Speaking in February, GACA’s President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej stressed the importance of continuing to develop local aviation expertise, noting that GACA’s human capital development strategy estimates that the Kingdom’s aviation sector will require 274,000 direct jobs by 2030 — up from the current 104,000 jobs. 

Al-Duailej reaffirmed the commitment to building a strong and sustainable aviation industry, ensuring the Kingdom remains at the forefront of global aviation development. 

Saudi Arabia is also investing billions in infrastructure in the aviation sector, including the development of King Salman International Airport.


New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

Updated 28 January 2026
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New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba Development Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has issued a request for information to gauge the market for modular and offsite fit-out solutions for its flagship Mukaab development, MEED reported on Wednesday.

The RFI was released on Jan. 26, with submissions due by Feb. 11. NMDC has also scheduled a market engagement meeting during the first week of February to discuss potential solutions with prospective contractors.

Sources close to the project told MEED that NMDC is “seeking experienced suppliers and contractors to advise on the feasibility, constraints, and execution strategy for using non-load-bearing modular systems for the four corner towers framing the Mukaab structure.” The feedback gathered from these discussions will be incorporated into later design and procurement decisions.

The four towers — two residential (North and South) and two mixed-use (East and West) — are integral to the Mukaab’s architectural layout. Each tower is expected to rise approximately 375 meters and span over 80 stories. Key modular elements under consideration include bathroom pods, kitchen pods, dressing room modules, panelized steel partition systems, and other offsite-manufactured fit-out solutions.

Early works on the Mukaab were completed last year, with NMDC preparing to award the estimated $1 billion contract for the main raft works. This was highlighted in a presentation by NMDC’s chief project delivery officer on Sept. 9, 2025, during the Future Projects Forum in Riyadh.

Earlier this month, US-based Parsons Corp. was awarded a contract by NMDC to provide design and construction technical support. Parsons will act as the lead design consultant for infrastructure, delivering services covering public buildings, infrastructure, landscaping, and the public realm at New Murabba. The firm will also support the development of the project’s downtown experience, which spans 14 million sq. meters of residential, workplace, and entertainment space.

The Parsons contract follows NMDC’s October 2025 agreements with three other US-based engineering firms for design work across the development. New York-headquartered Kohn Pedersen Fox was appointed to lead early design for the first residential community, while Aecom and Jacobs were selected as lead design consultants for the Mukaab district.

In August 2025, NMDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Falcons Creative Group, another US-based firm, to develop the creative vision and immersive experiences for the Mukaab project. Meanwhile, Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Co. completed the excavation works for the Mukaab, and UAE-headquartered HSSG Foundation Contracting executed the foundation works.