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The Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications has awarded Netherlands Airport Consultants a BD541,900 ($1.437m) contract to conduct an initial study for Bahrain's estimated $10bn greenfield airport project.

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.

The multidisciplinary study encompasses public policy, development strategy, technical, economic, financial and regulatory analysis and evaluation.

Reclaimed island

The new greenfield airport will eventually replace the existing Bahrain International airport (BIA) due to the inadequacy of its current infrastructure in meeting the kingdom's growing airport needs.

The new airport will be developed on a reclaimed island north of Muharraq, where BIA is located.

This project has been under consideration for some time and was mentioned as part of the Strategic Projects Plan announced in November 2021.

MEED reported in 2017 that the development could cost $10bn. The new island will require dredging and infrastructure development, including constructing a bridge or causeway connecting it to the rest of Bahrain.

Existing airport

The new terminal building at BIA, which opened in 2021, was directly developed by the government with financial support from the GCC.

There is ongoing development around the existing airport.

On 9 May, the Ministry of Works issued a tender for post-contract engineering services to improve access to BIA. It comprises stage three of phase one, which includes the construction of a flyover, culvert, reclamation and improvement of the Arad and Khalifa AlKaber Highway.

The ministry expects to receive bids by 4 June.