Saudi Arabia will expand Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah in a project worth $2.4bn.

The new terminal at the Madinah airport will have the capacity to manage 12 million passengers annually, reports Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.

The airport currently has the capacity to manage three million passengers a year.

Madinah Airport draws about five million pilgrims a year and the airport upgrade is just one of several contracts awarded to enhance pilgrim transport infrastructure.

The contract encompasses a high-speed rail section that connects Makkah and Jeddah, the main entry point for pilgrims.

The new airport terminal is expected to be complete by 2013.