Matarat Holding, in collaboration with Saudi National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP), has announced that six leading consortia and companies have qualified for the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport PPP Project.
The qualification represents a key milestone in the kingdom’s plans to develop and modernise the airport through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Located 25km from Buraidah in the Qassim region, the project is planned under a 30-year contract period, including the construction phase, and is aimed at enhancing the airport’s infrastructure, operational efficiency and passenger services.
The list of bidders comprises leading Saudi and international airport operators, infrastructure developers, investors and engineering companies. These include Indian group GMR Airports which has qualified as a standalone bidder for the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport project. The others are:
*A consortium comprising Egis, YDA, Safari and Lamar Holding, bringing together international engineering and airport development capabilities with Saudi investment and infrastructure expertise.
*Consortium of Ports Projects Management & Development Company and Al Gihaz Holding, combining project development, engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
*Consortium comprising Tamasuk, Oman Airports, Namaya and Al Bawani Capital, combining airport operating experience with investment and infrastructure development capabilities.
*Consortium comprising Vision Invest, Asyad and daa International, combining Saudi investment capabilities with regional logistics expertise and international airport management experience and
*Consortium of Turkish group TAV Airports, a member of Groupe ADP, and Mada International Holding.
According to NCP, the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport project is being developed as a long-term PPP project. Scope of work for the winning bidder includes design, financing, construction, transfer, operation and maintenance of the airport.
The project includes a passenger terminal, supporting airport facilities and upgrades to key airside infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways and aircraft aprons.
The development is aimed at expanding airport capacity and improving operational efficiency and passenger services to meet future aviation demand in the Qassim region, said NCP in a statement.
Matarat Holding and NCP launched the project’s expression of interest process in February, inviting local, regional and international private-sector companies to participate.
Six groups have now qualified for the next stage of the procurement process, bringing the project closer to the selection of a private-sector partner for the long-term development and operation of the airport, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
