Gulf Construction Online - TRSDC awards contract for Red Sea airport work

Saudi Focus

The design of airport at the Red Sea Project by Foster + Partners is informed by the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Saudi Focus

TRSDC awards contract for Red Sea airport work

01 August 2020

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism initiatives, has awarded its largest value contract to date for airside infrastructure works for the international airport coming up within the mega Saudi development.

The contract was awarded following a competitive tendering process to a joint venture between leading Saudi contractors Nesma & Partners Contracting Company and Almabani General Contractors, both of which have a strong track record for delivering similar projects in the region.

Land levelling work is already under way to prepare the airport for development and the project remains on schedule to support TRSDC’s plans to welcome the first guests to the destination by the end of 2022.

Officials at the contract signing ceremony for the construction of airside infrastructure.

“The Red Sea Development Company is making huge progress in the development of a world-leading destination and by awarding our largest contract to date, we take another significant step in this direction, while demonstrating our ongoing commitment to creating opportunities within the Saudi construction sector,” remarked its CEO John Pagano.

“Turning our vision into reality will require us to work with organisations that share our values and our uncompromising commitment in enhancing the environment. This was a key consideration when appointing Nesma & Partners and Almabani General Contractors. Both our partners have impressive expertise in delivering airside infrastructure, coupled with both local and international experience,” he added.

The contract covers the essential construction of airside infrastructure works, including the design and building of a Code F runway extending 3,700 m, Code B seaplane runway, parallel and link taxiways and pavement works, aeronautical navigational aids, aerodrome ground lighting, airside utilities, helipads, roads and associated buildings.

According to TRSDC, the design contract for the airport was awarded to Foster + Partners in October 2019. Its architecture is informed by the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape and represents the vision of The Red Sea Project.

The schematic design stage NOC was received from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) earlier this year. The location of Red Sea International Airport was accepted along with its airside masterplan, and its orientation of 15/33, was approved. Additionally, GACA approved the conceptual airspace and aeronautical studies that draw the approach path for flights bound for the airport, domestically and internationally.

Once complete, the airport will serve an estimated one million tourists per year catering to both domestic and international flights. Envisaged as an iconic airport, it will provide an unforgettable aviation experience for travellers and guests, said the TRSDC.

In addition to the dedicated airport, the first phase of the development includes 16 hotels offering 3,000 hotel rooms across five islands and two inland sites, as well as commercial, retail and leisure facilities and other infrastructure, it stated.

Almabani General Contractors CEO Joseph Daher said: “As a contracting company, we have a special focus on airport and infrastructure projects, and are honoured to serve The Red Sea Development Company, by utilising our expertise to deliver an airfield of international quality. For this project, we will mobilise our most experienced airport resources and qualified experts to ensure we meet our customer’s expectation, and we are ready for the challenging delivery period, especially during this tough health crisis currently affecting the entire globe.”