Saudi Crown Prince Sultan laid the cornerstone for the new King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah Tuesday (January 11th), noting that the facility was a gift from King Abdullah to travellers, Arab News reported.

The $7.2 billion airport will increase capacity from 17 million to 30 million passengers annually. It is designed in the shape of two crescents because of its status as a gateway to Islam's two holy mosques. The first phase will be completed in three years.

"The project aims at making the [airport] a high-tech airport that can be a hub to link the East and West, providing numerous investment opportunities and jobs for Saudis," said Abdullah Rehaimi, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.