Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications has named a consultant to conduct an initial study on development of a new greenfield airport project in the kingdom.

The ministry has awarded the contract to study the estimated $10-billion project to Netherlands Airport Consultants (Naco). The Hague-based airport consultancy and engineering firm will oversee and coordinate the work of various specialist sub-consultants, serving as the principal adviser to the ministry, said a MEED report.  The consultancy contract is valued at BD541,900 ($1.437 million).

The multidisciplinary study will cover public policy, development strategy, technical, economic, financial and regulatory analysis and evaluation, the report said.

The proposed new airport will eventually replace Bahrain International Airport (BIA) when the existing airport site can no longer effectively meet the kingdom’s airport infrastructure needs.