Four design firms, including US-based Jacobs, have signed strategic partnerships for the development of the planned mega airport in Riyadh. King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) signed the contracts with Jacobs, Saudi Arabia-based Nera and UK-based firms Mace Group and Foster + Partners.
“We are delighted to welcome these industry leaders who will work closely with the KSIA team,” said Marco Mejia, acting CEO of KSIADC, at the contract signing on August 20. “Their combined expertise will be instrumental in creating a world-class airport that exceeds all expectations and promotes regional economic prosperity.”
The expanded King Salman International Airport would cover 22 square miles and have six parallel runways. Saudi authorities expect the airport to be able to accommodate 100 million passengers by 2030.
Foster + Partners and Jacobs will handle infrastructure planning for the project, estimated at $7.2 billion. Jacobs will handle concept master plan validation, detailed master plan planning, runway design and other services. The two firms previously won a competition to design the concept master plan for King Salman International Airport.
Mace Group, the delivery partner for the project, will focus on the design and construction schedules to enable the phased completion of one of the world’s largest airports. Nera will provide technical and operational solutions for aviation and air navigation.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the airport expansion plan for 2022 as part of the kingdom’s Saudi Vision 2030. The program aims to wean Saudi Arabia off its dependence on oil revenues. KSIADC is part of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Launched in 2016, the plan aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a regional logistics hub, including by improving air connections to 250 destinations and transporting 330 million passengers.
“This project supports the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to achieve its Vision 2030 strategic goals, showcase the Kingdom to the world and expand the economy into new areas such as tourism,” said Keith Lawson, Senior Vice President of Jacobs.
The planning will focus on low-carbon construction and the use of renewable energy and technological innovations to ensure more sustainable and efficient operations. The goal is to achieve LEED Platinum certification, says Jacobs.
The project is one of two mega airports currently planned in the Middle East. Earlier this year, Dubai announced a $35 billion plan to expand Al Maktoum International Airport over the next decade. The new airport, also called Dubai World Central, will replace the existing Dubai International Airport, which is currently the world’s busiest in terms of international traffic.
The project would expand the emirate’s second-largest airport to 27 square miles and five parallel runways. The four terminals will have 400 gates, allowing the facility to handle up to 260 million passengers and more than 13 million tonnes of cargo annually.
