Jeddah, -- Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will announce tenders worth more than SR17 billion (€3.3 billion) this year to modernize two airports in the Kingdom, an official said.

For this year alone, GACA wants to launch tenders to build a new airport in the holy city of Madinah and a commercial center near Jeddah airport. "We plan to offer a 25-year build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract for the development of a new airport in Madinah," said the official. In Jeddah, authorities want to build an "airport city" that will include hotels, office buildings, housing units, malls and even a flight academy.

The tender will be launched in May with bids accepted until October and contracts to be awarded by December.

At the present time Saudi airports receive 30 million passengers annually. The number  is expected to double during the coming 10 years.