Saudi Civil Aviation Holding Company (Matarat Holding), along with the National Centre for Privatisation and PPP (NCP), started the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase for the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport redevelopment under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model on February 9, as stated on the NCP website.
The scope of work under the project EOI includes the design, financing, construction, transfer, operations, and maintenance of the airport on a Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) basis for 30 years. In addition, a new passenger terminal will be erected, along with ancillary services and airside infrastructure such as the runway, taxiways, and aprons to meet the projected demand of the airport.
The project aligns with the objectives of “Saudi Vision 2030,” the “Saudi Aviation Strategy,” and the “National Transport and Logistics Strategy” to make the Kingdom a global destination for tourism, aviation, and logistics. The EOIs must be submitted by 23 February 2026. However, details such as the target passenger capacity, estimated cost, and the date on which the request for proposals will be issued have not been made public by the authorities.
The project site is located approximately 25 kilometres from the city of Buraidah in the Qassim region. After its completion, the facility will likely increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity in line with anticipated annual travel growth.
Matarat Holding currently oversees the operation of 27 airports across the Kingdom through its subsidiaries, including Riyadh Airports Company, Jeddah Airports Company, Dammam Airports Company, and Cluster 2 Airports Company.
Qassim Airport is already working to enhance the passenger experience. Since May 2025, the facility, through its duty-free shop, has been providing a decent shopping experience for international travellers passing through the airport.
The market showcases a wide range of high-quality products from renowned international and local brands, offering travellers the opportunity to shop at competitive prices lower than those in the local market.
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the vital airports serving the Kingdom. Since its establishment in 1964, the facility has undergone significant capacity expansion, serving both domestic and international flights, and hosting more than 1,250,000 flyers annually. Located on the western side of Buraidah, the administrative capital of the Qassim region, the infrastructure was renamed after Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz in 2012 through a royal decree.
In 2017, the airport was upgraded to international status. Currently, approximately 13 airlines operate from the facility. In the January 2023 performance report for Saudi Arabia’s international and domestic airports, Qassim Airport ranked first in the fourth category of international airports with fewer than two million passengers annually, achieving a 100% compliance rate and outperforming competing airports in the combined average wait times for departure and arrival flights.