Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) has won the construction contract for the expansion of Hurghada International airport in Egypt.

The expansion of the airport involves carrying out the design of a new four-kilometre runway, taxiways, airfield lighting and also a new passenger terminal that will be able to handle 7.5 million passengers a year.

Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be complete in 2014.

The client on the project is the Egyptian Airports Company (EAC) which is a subsidiary of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation (Ehcaan).

Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah won the design contract together with the Egyptian Engineering Group for Consultancy for the expansion of the airport in 2005 (MEED 9:9:05). The project was originally expected to be complete by 2009.

The $100m project will be financed by the Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development.

Ehcaan also awarded the US’ Aecom the consultancy contract for Cairo Airport City earlier in June (MEED 6:6:11). The consultancy contract involves carrying out the preparation of a development strategy and masterplan for the airport city. On 22 March, Cairo Airports Company received six bids for the $400m renovation of terminal two at the airport. Cairo Airports Company is a subsidiary of Ehcaan.