Dammam Airports has signed a contract with UK-based Serco Group for the provision of fire and rescue services for King Fahd International airport.

The value of the contract, which will extend over 10 years, has not been disclosed.

MEED understands the contract covers training of airport personnel on fire safety and rescue operations.

It is the first time that a private company is awarded a contract providing services that were previously provided exclusively by the government, says David Graer, Serco Middle East CEO.

According to Turki Aljawini, Dammam Airports CEO, the deal aims to enhance efficiency and improve the airport’s capacity, which currently stands at 12.6 million passengers a year.

Last year, Dammam awarded Spanish consultancy Ineco the contract to develop a 50-year masterplan for King Fahd International airport.

The work entails expanding all airport facilities to cater to growing passenger demand as well as the study of the connection of the airport’s cargo area with Saudi Arabia’s main rail freight line.

MEED understands the 50-year plan, which extends to 2047, will include developing a new airport city along with a cargo village.

King Fahd International is the kingdom’s third-largest airport. It trails Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International and Riyadh’s King Khaled International in terms of annual passenger traffic.

Dammam Airports Company was formed as part of Riyadh’s plan to privatise all airportsin the kingdom and transfer airport ownership and operations from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca), Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulatory body, to the Saudi Civil Aviation Holding Company.