Changi Airports International (CAI) announced on Tuesday that it has obtained a contract extension from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to manage and operate King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, till June 2015 following a successful six-year partnership.

The extension is for the maximum permissible period of seven months from 7 November 2014.

CAI said the extension of the contract will see it continuing to apply its expertise and experience and work alongside GACA to realise the full potential of KFIA and strengthen its positioning as a premier regional airport.

During the past six years, a team of resident members from CAI, each specialising in key aspects of airport management, was stationed in Dammam to work hand in hand with its Saudi general managers . The efforts of the resident team were supported by domain experts from Singapore in numerous visits to help in development in various areas including human capital, airport commercial and retail management, operations efficiency and service quality management, as well as hub and route development.

The cooperation saw KFIA achieve unprecedented growth in the number of operating airlines, passenger traffic and city links. KFIA is now served by 36 airlines to 65 cities. In 2013, passenger volumes exceeded that of other airports within the catchment area for the first time in KFIA's history.

The space within the terminal available for concession has increased by more than 80 per cent and non-aeronautical revenue has more than doubled in the last few years.

These initiatives will prepare KFIA to handle passenger movements exceeding 21 million passengers per annum once major infrastructure plans are implemented.