It follows the SR300m ($80m) contract award by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) in May for the renovation and repair of seven airports in the kingdom.

The contract covers runway renovation and maintenance at Najran, Al-Taif, Buraydah, Hail, Al-Wajeh, Ar Ar and Qourayat.

Al-Mabani has begun initial mobilisation work at Al-Taif, Hail and Najran, which is expected to last three months, after which the main works will begin. This is expected to take a further 12 months.

The entire project for all seven airports is expected to take 24 months.