Leading Saudi builder Safari Construction has secured the main contract for the expansion of Hail International Airport. The scope of work includes the rehabilitation of the existing passenger terminal, construction of new airport facilities as well as development of associated airport infrastructure and operational systems.

The contract was awarded by Cluster2 Company, which operates under Matarat Holding and is responsible for the operation and development of airports across Saudi Arabia.

Safari said a key component of the project is the southern expansion of the terminal, which includes construction of a new 5,600-sq-m building connected to the existing terminal. The works also involves upgrades to the departures and arrivals areas and enhanced baggage-handling facilities.

The wider project scope includes the development of passenger boarding bridges, a new passenger lounge, terminal infrastructure, parking facilities, a rapid-exit taxiway, new aircraft aprons and an access road to the expanded terminal.

Additional ancillary facilities, including cargo, mosque, power, water supply and airport road infrastructure, are also included in the development, it stated.

According to Matarat, on completion of the expansion work, the Hail Airport will boost its capacity to 1.7 million passengers per annum by 2030, while improving passenger facilities, operational efficiency and overall service levels.

The project forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider programme to modernise airport infrastructure and expand aviation capacity in line with the kingdom’s Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, it added.