Construction teams are currently being mobilised in preparation to launch work on the Yanbu Airport expansion project.

The newly-constituted General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) – which has been made an independent body and will operate on a commercial basis – has awarded the local Almabani General Contractors a SR188 million ($50.12 million) contract for the project, which has been launched to keep up with the fast pace of growth in the Yanbu industrial development zone.
The contract is to be completed within 24 months. Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre (ACEC) is the consultant.
The project involves the construction of a new double-gateway terminal building with a capacity of two million passengers per year – three times the airport’s current capacity.
The project is the first among a series of regional airports to be launched in the Kingdom and is part of a multi-billion-riyal airport upgrade programme. This flagship project is also expected to be the first regional airport to feature boarding bridges and will incorporate state-of-the-art technology and a full range of sophisticated facilities. It is designed to cater for up to B747 aircraft and handle a passenger throughput of 500 people per hour.
The airport is expected to be operational in 18 months’ time, with a maintenance period of 12 months.
The scope of work for the project, which involves a total built-up area of 25,000 sq m, includes:
• New 8,500 sq m terminal building;
• Upgrading of the existing runway to extend 3,800 m with a width of 45 m and two 7.5-m shoulders;
• A new 3,200-m parallel taxiway with a width of 23 m and two 11-m shoulders;
• A new lead-in taxiway;
• A new 3,330 sq m aircraft parking apron;
• A new control tower, including equipment.
Other facilities include new airside drainage facilities and infrastructure; administration, cargo and fire and rescue buildings; guard barracks facility and accommodation; bachelor accommodation; power station; AFL buildings; main control gate building; water tank and pumphouse building; a mosque for 300 worshippers; upper air station building; and a PCA maintenance building.
The new airport expansion, which is being built adjacent to the existing facilities, will receive flights during the Haj season. Economic analysists believe that it will give a boost to industrial and economic development in the region – where a new mega industrial city Yanbu 2 is being built – and offer tremendous business opportunities for both Saudi and foreign investors.
Yanbu 2, which covers an area of 66 sq km, is expected to attract investments worth $31 million and house 34 basic and secondary industries and 224 light industries.