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DMM: Why So Big?
I flew into DMM yesterday. Why is its King Fahd International Airport so big, considering the lack of flights? Surely not because of neither the future potential nor the royal flights? This appears to be similar at both JED and RUH.
RE: DMM: Why So Big?
Construction on DMM started a long time ago, when nearby Dhahran, DMM's predecessor was a hell of a lot busier. For some time, the likes of Korean Air, Thai, Singapore Airlines, Phillipine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, BA, Air France, Austrian, Alitalia, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish to name a few all flew out of DHA. With the opening of the causeway, and the fact that the journey from the Dammam/Khobar area is now not much further to Bahrain, where you can have a drink, DMM has failed to reach the potential that was harnessed all those years ago. DMM IS getting busier however, and with the advent of the low cost revolution about to hit the kingdom, it may yet live to realise it's full potential.
Regards
Mike
Regards
Mike
RE: DMM: Why So Big?
There's a lot of money in Saudi Arabia. Projects there are usually big, and since land is not a problem, airports can be designed to be quite large.
Unfortunately, unlike its neighbors such as Bahrain and the UAE, Saudi Arabia doesn't want visitors. Other than Hajj pilgrims (who would use Mecca)and invited businessmen and other "guests" (who would use King Fahd airport in Riyadh), there is a big "KEEP OUT" sign on the country. This means that other airports in the country are way down on the secondary list anymore.
Couldn't have said it better!!
Wow!! Not saying I doubt you, but with life the way it is in Saudi Arabia, I'll be surprised if it happens!! Best of luck to the Saudis!!
Unfortunately, unlike its neighbors such as Bahrain and the UAE, Saudi Arabia doesn't want visitors. Other than Hajj pilgrims (who would use Mecca)and invited businessmen and other "guests" (who would use King Fahd airport in Riyadh), there is a big "KEEP OUT" sign on the country. This means that other airports in the country are way down on the secondary list anymore.
| Quote: Construction on DMM started a long time ago, when nearby Dhahran, DMM's predecessor was a hell of a lot busier. For some time, the likes of Korean Air, Thai, Singapore Airlines, Phillipine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, BA, Air France, Austrian, Alitalia, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish to name a few all flew out of DHA. With the opening of the causeway, and the fact that the journey from the Dammam/Khobar area is now not much further to Bahrain, where you can have a drink, DMM has failed to reach the potential that was harnessed all those years ago. |
Couldn't have said it better!!
| Quote: DMM IS getting busier however, and with the advent of the low cost revolution about to hit the kingdom, it may yet live to realise it's full potential. |
Wow!! Not saying I doubt you, but with life the way it is in Saudi Arabia, I'll be surprised if it happens!! Best of luck to the Saudis!!
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RE: DMM: Why So Big?
Not so long ago, this was discussed in a thread about "underused terminals" in the world. A Saudi Arabian a.netter posted some pictures of DMM (see link below), it seems that this airport is always empty!
Check Reply 91 Pictures of DMM of this thread RE: Abandoned/Underused Terminals Around The World (by HiJazzey Apr 25 2006 in Civil Aviation)
Check Reply 91 Pictures of DMM of this thread RE: Abandoned/Underused Terminals Around The World (by HiJazzey Apr 25 2006 in Civil Aviation)
RE: DMM: Why So Big?
The story of DMM is a long one, but in short it was a good idea that was poorly executed.
The idea behind DMM airport is to have a single efficient airport serving both Jubail and Dammam areas, replacing Dhahran and Jubail airports.
This airport covers a large and important catchment area: Jubail is Saudi Arabia's main indutrial city and Dammam is the main oil and gas hub and is one of the major business areas. They have a combined population of over 2 million, and the then main airport (DHA) was busy (it was busier than Riyadh). So the projected traffic was a lot higher than it transpired.
Construction started in 1984, however it suffered many problems. The airforce meddled (they wanted the airport), and as the project progressed the cash flow got tighter, to the point that near the end the project was moving in drips and drabs. Although very late, it was rushed into service, and it was disasterous. The airport had to shut down soon after opening because of technical problems (power failures if I remember correctly). Also, only the north access road was finished at the time, and that made for very long journey times for people from Dhahran or Khobar.
The poor reliability and long distance pushed many locals to abandon using the airport and go via Bahrain, which is linked via a causeway, and Dammam's loss became Muharraq's gain. Very quickly, foreign airlines figured out that they could consolidate their operations in Bahrain, and just offer a bus/limousine shuttle to Dammam from there, so airlines left in droves.
Things have improved a little now. Traffic has started to pick up again, but it's too late. BAH has taken it's market. It's a shame really, because it's a nice airport.
The idea behind DMM airport is to have a single efficient airport serving both Jubail and Dammam areas, replacing Dhahran and Jubail airports.
This airport covers a large and important catchment area: Jubail is Saudi Arabia's main indutrial city and Dammam is the main oil and gas hub and is one of the major business areas. They have a combined population of over 2 million, and the then main airport (DHA) was busy (it was busier than Riyadh). So the projected traffic was a lot higher than it transpired.
Construction started in 1984, however it suffered many problems. The airforce meddled (they wanted the airport), and as the project progressed the cash flow got tighter, to the point that near the end the project was moving in drips and drabs. Although very late, it was rushed into service, and it was disasterous. The airport had to shut down soon after opening because of technical problems (power failures if I remember correctly). Also, only the north access road was finished at the time, and that made for very long journey times for people from Dhahran or Khobar.
The poor reliability and long distance pushed many locals to abandon using the airport and go via Bahrain, which is linked via a causeway, and Dammam's loss became Muharraq's gain. Very quickly, foreign airlines figured out that they could consolidate their operations in Bahrain, and just offer a bus/limousine shuttle to Dammam from there, so airlines left in droves.
Things have improved a little now. Traffic has started to pick up again, but it's too late. BAH has taken it's market. It's a shame really, because it's a nice airport.
RE: DMM: Why So Big?
I think that the construction company was Bechtel, who tend to gold plate their airports in Saudi Arabia. I have recently been to a presentation of the new JED airport, and it is going to be similarly over-specified for 60-70 million passengers.
DMM could close 50-60% of their airport terminal with no impact on operations, but would save a fortune in operating costs.
Once the expansion of the Jubail industrial city starts, DMM should start developing again. However, they have been relatively successful in attracting new cargo airlines of late (CV, BA, LH).
DMM could close 50-60% of their airport terminal with no impact on operations, but would save a fortune in operating costs.
Once the expansion of the Jubail industrial city starts, DMM should start developing again. However, they have been relatively successful in attracting new cargo airlines of late (CV, BA, LH).
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