Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) has awarded the local Almabani General Contractors the contract for the renovation and upgrade of the Al-Wajh domestic airport in Tabuk, located in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia.

According to the contractor, the scope of work includes:

• Upgrade of runway to cater to Code F aircraft
• Expansion of taxiway to serve as temporary runway for Code C aircraft
• Rehabilitation and expansion of drainage network
• Addition of simple approach lighting system including constant current regulator (CCR)
• Relocation of existing illuminated guidance signs
• Two aprons
• 2,500 square metre hangar for helicopters

The local Zuhair Fayez Partnership is consultant for the project.

Gaca has plans to upgrade and expand over a dozen domestic and regional airports in line with its multibillion-dollar airport modernisation scheme. These include airports in Jouf, Ahsa, Najran, Qaisumah, Turaif and Rafha, among others.

Three of these airports – Hail, Qassim and Yanbu – have been awarded as public-private partnership (PPP) projects in March and April.

A fourth airport, Taif International, is also being developed as a PPP.

Saudi Arabia currently has four international and 23 domestic or regional airports. Three more airports would have been completed by 2020, including Taif, Qunfudhah and the under study airport in Jubail.

Ownership of airports in Saudi Arabia are currently being transferred from Gaca to General Aviation Holding Company, which will be fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).