Expanding Madinah Airport

Massimiliano Martinenghi, project director at Scott Brownrigg, brings us up to speed on the planned expansion of Madinah Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Madinah Airport (MED), officially known as Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, is a hugely important gateway for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it serves the second holiest city in Islam.

Madinah is home to the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, and his final resting place, and as a result attracts millions of visitors annually, especially during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Designed by Scott Brownrigg in 2014, the existing 156,000sqm terminal serves both international and domestic flights and was built to accommodate up to nine million passengers per annum.

However, soaring demand due to the booming Umrah travel market and rapid growth of tourism to Saudi Arabia, means that the airport is fast approaching its maximum capacity.

The expansion and modernisation of Madinah Airport are key elements within Saudi Arabia’s transformative Vision 2030 initiative, unveiled in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia’s economy, society, and governance by diversifying the Kingdom’s economy beyond its reliance on oil, while nurturing robust public services, championing sustainable development, and boosting tourism alongside infrastructural upgrades.

MED’s expansion includes the construction of a new domestic terminal (T2) spanning 39,000 square metres and the renovation and expansion of the existing international terminal (T1), which will feature new facilities for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims passing through the gateway.

Particular attention has been paid to the environmental impact and sustainability aspects of the development; the existing terminal achieved Gold certification under the LEED for New Construction Rating System.

The new domestic terminal T2 is also intended to receive Gold Certification, following and, in some cases improving upon, the rating of the existing terminal.

Our design concept was inspired by the airport’s role as a gateway for millions of Islamic pilgrims as well as the palm tree – a symbol for peace and welcome – which has become emblematic in the terminal building.

The palm motif brings a unique architectural identity to the development and provides a pragmatic and efficient structural support, while using a minimum amount of material.

The geometry of the roof’s structural support reflects a biophilic design, integrating nature-inspired geometries into architectural spaces to enhance human wellbeing and environmental harmony.

The terminal evokes a sense of spiritual calm and reflection, mimicking natural elements typical of Saudi Arabian culture.

The structure was designed to be modular, with each palm-tree built upside down at ground level and then rotated and craned into place. The structural framing system has been designed to reduce the amount of material required to support the roof, thereby reducing the embodied carbon of the structural elements.

Truss systems, including those used for roof support, are more sustainable because they minimise the amount of material required while maximising structural strength and efficiency.

By distributing loads more evenly and efficiently, trusses reduce the need for excess materials, leading to lower resource consumption and reduced environmental impact.

The structural system supporting the roof of T2 follows a similar language to T1 but simplifies the structure with more geometric and minimal elements.

In addition, the column span and the height of the elements have been adjusted to optimise the solution. This allowed Scott Brownrigg to create further material savings, while keeping open floor plans that enhance the sense of place and the passenger experience.

The new terminal’s open floor plans will allow clear and intuitive wayfinding and orientation. Natural illumination, reinforced by skylights and glazed cladding, brings a sense of quiet atmosphere, introducing natural light and direct views to the airfield.

The interior design includes modular elements capable of creating unique and bespoke spaces, with the intent of increasing the passenger experience during the journey, reducing stress, and enhancing the sense of place.

Passengers have quiet zones, and the integrated Islamic architectural elements magnify the spiritual ambiance of arriving in Madinah.

In T2 more natural, local and recycled materials, including marble and timber, will be introduced to support local economies and reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation.

This approach also promotes use of materials that are well-suited to the local climate and conditions, enhancing the durability and performance of the terminal over the years to come.

The terminal will also include dedicated areas for children and families to enhance comfort and provide entertainment and engagement for passengers waiting for transfers or flights. These family-friendly spaces will feature soft play areas to keep children occupied and happy.

Additionally, there will be comfortable seating areas for parents to relax while keeping an eye on their children.

The terminal will also offer amenities such as nursing rooms, family restrooms, and stroller rentals to ensure convenience for families traveling with young children.

The project also encompasses significant landscaping efforts, transforming the dry desert surrounding the terminal into a welcoming environment. These newly created outdoor spaces will be accessible to both passengers and staff, providing a pleasant and functional area for relaxation and activities.

Outside, the landscape will be irrigated with recycled wastewater, meticulously treated to guarantee its safe reuse for irrigation and minimise waste. The design includes shaded areas along various pathways, offering comfort and protection from the sun for those moving between different parts of the terminal.

The thoughtful integration of green spaces and water conservation techniques underscores the commitment to environmental stewardship, creating a more enriching experience for everyone at the terminal.

TAV Airports has big plans for Madinah Airport

TAV Airports, together with its consortium partner, is investing a total of $275 million on increasing the capacity of Madinah Airport.

As outlined in Massimiliano Martinenghi’s article, a new domestic terminal will be built, and the existing terminal will be developed to accommodate 18 million passengers annually. Saudi Arabia’s first airport privatisation project, Madinah Airport welcomed 9.4 million passengers in 2023, almost 50% more than in the previous year.

TAV Airports CEO, Serkan Kaptan, said “We have been successfully operating Madinah Airport, the gateway to the Holy Land, together with our partner Al-Rajhi, for the last 12 years.  The passenger traffic is increasing on a very fast pace following lift of travel bans brought in during the pandemic.

“This new investment programme will help accommodate increasing demand and is fully supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to attract more visitors into the country.”

The consortium of TAV Airports and Al-Rajhi Holding have the concession rights to operate Madinah Airport until May 2041.

TAV Airports undertook the build-operate-transfer (BOT) project of Madinah Airport, and began operations in 2012. It’s $1.2 billion terminal became the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified terminal at a commercial airport in the MENA region.