Foster + Partners has won an international competition to design the terminal. Inspired by the nearby Rijal Almaa village, the winning design reinvents the airport terminal as a series of interconnected human-scale clusters, outdoor courtyards and walkways. The scheme brings fresh air, greenery and natural light to the experience of travel, transforming the passenger journey and setting a benchmark for this new typology of airport design. This is a complete reinvention of the airport, with an emphasis on traditional Aseeri details, local materials and terraced landscaping. It is both a celebration of – and an introduction to – the beauty of the Aseer region. The modular form is arranged in clusters, between the drop off zone and the apron. Buildings are tapered and vary in height to reflect the distinctive architectural character of the region and create different types of functional space. The scheme’s modularity makes it extremely flexible, allowing the airport to expand efficiently as demand increases.

Saudi Arabia’s government is building on its plans to enhance private involvement in the kingdom’s airports, offering a concession for the development of the airport. The concession is being offered in co-operation with the National Center for Privatization. It will take the form of a 30-year build-transfer-operate agreement, at the centre of which is a new terminal capable of handling 13 million annual passengers, compared with the current capacity for 1.5 million. This terminal will be scheduled to open by 2028. The government is seeking expressions of interest, which will be a distinctive landmark, by 31 January, 2024. Infrastructure to be developed under the concession includes a new apron, rapid-exit taxiway for the runway, access roads, and other related facilities. Client recently unveiled economic reforms intended to support privatisation, public-private co-operation, and external investment in the aviation sector. The new airport will be an “enabler” of the ‘Qimam and Shem’ initiative to turn the area into a year-round tourism destination.

Saudi-based Matarat Holding Company and The National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) have invited expressions of interest (EOI) from leading companies for the development of airport. This move aims to attract competent private sector entities, in accordance with the Private Sector Participation (PSP) Law. The project will be implemented based on the new Abha Airport’s masterplan, which sets out the architectural identity aligned with the heritage of Aseer Region, aiming to become a prominent landmark in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Strategically located among the kingdom's airports, it serves as a link between domestic and international airports, covering an estimated area of 4.6 sq km. Under Phase One, a new terminal building will be set up in the airport on a total area of 69,400 sq m, followed by its expansion to 73,200 sq m in the second phase. In addition, the airport will also have a new aircraft apron to serve the new passenger terminal in the near future, while a new Rapid Exit taxiway is scheduled for construction on the current runway between 2030 and 2040. Once completed, the airport will able to accommodate 8 million passengers by 2030 and then gradually it will increase the total to more than 13 million passengers by 2054. The airport will include other facilities such as roads leading to the new passenger terminal, parking spaces, and supporting facilities. Other developments include access roads to the new terminal, a new car park area, and expansions to support facilities such as the electrical substation and sewage treatment plant. The project, being implemented under the PPP model, encompasses the areas of construction of a new terminal and associated facilities, transportation, and operation of the airport for a duration of 30 years. This comes in light of the combined efforts of the various government entities including Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, General Authority of Civil Aviation, Aseer Development Authority. The deadline for submitting the EoIs has been set at January 31, 2024.