The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the owner of the Jubail airport, Saudi Arabia, has awarded AERTEC the development of the planning and conceptual design of the new infrastructure which will equip it for commercial aircraft operations from 2020. Until now, the airport, located on the east coast of Saudi Arabia, has been operated by the Ministry of Defence, which has used it primarily for military purposes, apart from some private operations.
AERTEC consolidates its strategic position as an international company specialising in consultancy and engineering for airports in the Middle East.
Late last year, the Spanish aeronautical engineering firm was commissioned to propose the design of the civil works, which included new taxiways, aircraft parking aprons, VIP and cargo terminals, a control tower, a fire fighting building and connections to the airport, along with other elements. These conceptual designs will be developed in collaboration with two local companies: Saudconsult and Al-Naim Consultants.
AERTEC, together with the consultancy firm KPMG, will advise the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu on the development and management formulas The most appropriate for the project, including the involvement of the private sector.
This is not the first time that AERTEC has worked for Jubail Airport: it has previously been responsible for the development of the master and commercial plans. Its mission now is to move forward the definition of the new infrastructure, so that it is possible to launch a international tender to attract potential investors and operators to carry out the construction and subsequent operation of the airport during an appropriate concession period.
Carlos Berenguer, General Manager of Aviation at AERTEC, values this new contract very positively because «it allows us to continue consolidating our position in one of the main growth areas for air traffic in the coming years: the Middle East. The Jubail airport project has the support of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Navy, which is fundamental to its success. This project adds to our airport planning experience in regions such as Latin America and Europe and allows us to further increase our international presence, which already accounts for more than 75 % of the company's airport business».
AERTEC thus consolidates its strategic position as an international company specialising in consultancy and engineering for airports in the Middle East, where it not only has references in Saudi Arabia, but also in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, among others.
