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 leveling 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 to the destination by the end of 2022.
“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 organizations that share our values and our uncompromising commitment to 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.
On the big win, Rami Alturki, Vice Chairman and Board Member at Nesma & Partners Contracting, said:
“This award marks the start of our exciting partnership with The Red Sea Development Company, who is on track to deliver a world-class sustainable giga-project in support of Saudi Vision 2030.”
“We are proud to be selected to contribute to the development of the Red Sea International Airport which we believe will play a key role in the transformation of Saudi Arabia by welcoming up to one million visitors per year to the destination by 2030,” stated Alturki.
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 a unique and iconic airport, it will provide an unforgettable aviation experience for travelers and guests, said the statement from 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 honored to serve The Red Sea Development Company, by utilizing our expertise to deliver an airfield of international quality.”
“For this project, we will mobilize our most experienced airport resources and qualified experts to ensure we meet our customer’s expectations, and we are ready for the challenging delivery period, especially during this tough sanitary crisis currently affecting the entire globe,” stated Daher.
“We are proud to partner with Nesma to become key contributors to a pillar project in the Vision 2030,” he added.
TradeArabia News Service
13/07/2020
