Saudi Railway authorities have announced that test runs have been successfully completed at the new King Abdulaziz International Airport station, under the Haramain High Speed Rail Project, and that operations will start today.

In a report by the Saudi Press Agency, officials said that The New King Abdulaziz International Airport station extends over an area of 12,000sqm and has two terminals – for Business and VIP class. These will be run by qualified Saudi cadres, who have received training according to the latest world security and safety standards.

Rayan Al Harbi, the director general of Operations and Maintenance for the Haramain High Speed Railway, said that the new line will cater to travellers between the stations of Madinah, King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, and The New King Abdulaziz International Airport station.

Operations to Makkah will begin next week, while the station – which can run a trip every 10 minutes at peak times – will serve Jeddah’s residents and visitors until the main station at Al Sulaimaniyah District is revamped, the SPA report added.

“The Airport station can serve Jeddah residents and visitors, thanks to the existence of six platforms, each 518m long. Hence, each platform can accommodate two dual trains with a capacity of 832 passengers for each dual trip,” stated Al Harbi.

“This raises the station’s capacity to 20 million passengers annually. Passengers wishing to travel by train can book their trips and buy tickets via the known booking channels, including the website and booking applications,” he added.

The airport, one of the largest of its kind, boasts several key facilities for visitors and passengers including 810,000sqm lounges and a transport centre that links the building to the car park and train station.