Hochtief has won a $1.46-billion deal to upgrade two terminals at Riyadh's international airport.

One of the largest international construction groups, Hochtief said a consortium led by the company has been awarded the project by Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) for the expansion of two key terminals at the King Khaled International Airport in the Saudi capital.

This project is the first part of the extensive programme by GACA to develop and expand the airport´s facilities at a cost of €4 billion ($4.5 billion).

Acting as the technical and commercial lead of the “Riyadh Airport Expansion” joint venture, Hochtief  - together with the companies Shapoorij Pallonji Mideast and Nahdat Al Emaar - will redesign, upgrade and expand two existing terminals, and demolish and refurbish other parts of the airport infrastructure.

Construction work has already started on the project and the completion is currently planned for May 2019. The scope of work includes airside infrastructure works, said company officials after signing the agreement with GACA.

Apart from refurbishing and expanding the existing Terminals Three and Four, the contract involves the demolition and reconstruction of the aprons inclusive of apron lighting and fueling facilities, they stated.

The contract further covers the construction of new terminal lounges and operation buildings, as well as the installation of baggage handling and security systems.

Hochtief, which has 55 per cent stake in the Riyadh Airport Expansion joint venture, will also be responsible for installing IT, fire protection and communication systems.

Marcelino Fernández Verdes, the chief executive of Hochtief, said: "We are delighted to have won this major contract. It reinforces our position as an important infrastructure construction group and shows that our international expertise and the know-how of our engineers in the area of complex, large-scale projects are greatly appreciated by our clients."

One of renowned international construction groups worldwide, Hochtief said it has been delivering complex infrastructure projects, in some cases on the basis of concession models.

The group operates in the transportation infrastructure, energy infrastructure and social/urban infrastructure segments as well as in the contract mining business.-TradeArabia News Service