One hundred companies, including 52 from Saudi Arabia, expressed interest in the Abha International Airport project. Saudi Civil Aviation Holding Company (MATARAT) in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) invited companies to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the project in January with a deadline of January 31, 2024.
The selected partners will enter into substantial, long-term agreements following the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. These agreements will encompass a broad spectrum of responsibilities, ranging from the construction of a state-of-the-art terminal and its accompanying facilities to the intricate operations of the airport, all spanning 30 years. The involvement of key governmental entities such as the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and the Assir Development Authority underscores the strategic importance of this initiative.
The master plan for the airport was revealed by the Crown Prince in October 2023, post which Foster & Partners was awarded the design consultancy contract. This visionary plan, designed to reflect the rich heritage of the Aseer Region, aspires to position the airport as a prominent landmark within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Strategically situated among the Kingdom’s airports, the Abha International Airport is poised to serve as a crucial link connecting domestic and international air travel. Encompassing an estimated area of 4.6 square kilometers, the airport is projected to accommodate up to 8 million passengers by 2030, with anticipated numbers exceeding 13 million by 2054. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the construction will unfold in two to three phases, with the initial phase featuring a terminal building spanning 69,400 square meters, poised for expansion to 73,200 square meters in subsequent phases.
Moreover, the expansion endeavors include provisions for 11 jetways, a parking facility capable of housing 3,000 vehicles, a mosque with a capacity for 1,000 worshippers, as well as essential infrastructure enhancements such as a rapid exit taxiway, apron facilities, access roads, and support amenities including an expanded electrical substation and a new sewage treatment plant.
The scope of work extends beyond the terminal to encompass a reception center, commercial complex, exhibitions, markets, cargo facilities, Meteorology and Environmental Protection buildings, along with structures dedicated to airport administration, air navigation, and maintenance.
Embedded within the framework of Vision 2030, the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, the National Aviation Strategy, and the Aseer Region Development Strategy ‘Qimam and Shem,’ this project epitomizes the commitment to fostering public-private partnerships to drive comprehensive socio-economic growth. By enhancing the transportation infrastructure in the Aseer Region, this initiative aims to bolster passenger traffic, catalyze regional development, elevate travel experiences, and modernize logistical operations, thus propelling the Kingdom’s overarching development agenda forward.
For more information please visit: https://www.bncnetwork.net
