Saudi JV wins infrastructure contract for Red Sea international airport

A joint venture between Saudi-based Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd and Almabani General Contractors has won the airside infrastructure works contract for the mega Red Sea tourism project’s international airport.

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer of the project, said in a statement that the value of the contract is the largest awarded to date.

The contract covers the construction of airside infrastructure works, including the design and building of a Code F Runway 3,700 meters, Code B Seaplane Runway, Parallel & Link taxiways and pavement works, Aeronautical Navigational Aids, Aerodrome Ground Lighting, Airside utilities, helipads, roads and associated buildings.

The schematic design stage NOC was received from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) earlier this year.

In October 2019, the developer awarded the design contract for the airport to Foster + Partners.

Land levelling work is already underway to prepare the airport for development, and the project remains on schedule to support TRSDC plans to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022.

Once complete, the airport will serve an estimated 1 million tourists per year catering to both domestic and international flights.

In February 2019, Red Sea Development commenced the initial work of the project. On completion of all phases, 22 islands will be developed out of over 90 islands, creating over 70,000 job opportunities.

The mega tourism project will play a key role in driving economic diversification in the Kingdom by attracting around 1 million tourists per year and contributing SAR 22 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).