Samwhan homes in on first KAIA package.(SAUDI ARABIA)(King Abdulaziz International Airport)

A close contest is in store for the first construction package on the expansion of King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.

South Korea's Samwhan Corporation has submitted a low bid of SR 916.5 million ($244.4 million), according to prices announced officially on 3 December by the client, the Presidency of Civil Aviation (PCA). The Korean firm's offer was about 0.4 per cent lower than the next quote of SR 919.9 million ($245.3 million) offered by the local Almabani General Contractors. Five groups of local and international companies have submitted base prices and an alternative quotation (MEED 25:11:05).

Called the airport facilities upgrade, the design and build contract involves upgrades to the airfield pavement and lighting, fuel network systems and the stormwater drainage network. The 16-month contract also includes upgrading the airfield facilities for the existing Hajj terminal, for which a separate expansion and rehabilitation is also planned. PCA has invited companies to apply for prequalifications by 17 December for the buildoperate-transfer (BOT) concession covering the proposed expansion (see Tenders).

A total of 1.2 million pilgrims used the terminal last year, but substandard facilities and overcrowding has led to long processing and waiting times.

The BOT model is also being used for the contract to supply and install a 30,000-cubic-metrea-day desalination plant to ...