TAV Construction of Turkey has gained a strong foothold in the region with multi-billion-dollar airport contracts in five of the six Gulf capitals.

TAV Construction has become the contractor of choice for major international airports in the region, and today claims the distinction of having undertaken multi-billion-dollar contracts at five GCC capitals: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Muscat and Riyadh.

In fact, its performance has been recognised globally, having been ranked Number One in the world consecutively in 2014, 2015 and 2016 by the Engineering News Record. 

The GCC is the backbone of TAV Construction’s overseas operations. It undertook its first major contract in the region in 2006, when it was awarded the state-of-the-art passenger terminal complex of the Hamad International Airport in Qatar. Since then, it has been involved in five GCC countries and has successfully delivered airport projects and consistently become the preferred contractor for almost all of the major airport projects in GCC and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), besides its domestic market of Turkey. “When it comes to airports, TAV is an expert, having vast experience in the construction of terminal buildings and all sorts of airport facilities, from runways to aircraft maintenance hangars and air traffic control towers,” says a company spokesman.

Hamad International Airport ... TAV’s stepping stone into the region.

Saudi Arabia

The year 2012 was a glorious one for TAV Construction, marking its grand entry into the Saudi Arabia market with two awards: Saudia Airlines’ maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; and the expansion of the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. 

“The latter is the region’s first public-private partnership (PPP) airport project, which has been a true success story in terms of on-time construction delivery and smooth transition to the operations stage,” the spokesman points out.

Developed in partnership with Al Rajhi Holding at an investment of $1.2 billion, the airport has become a benchmark in the current privatisation drive in Saudi Arabia according to the National Transformation Plan and in line with the kingdom’s vision.

With its success on Madinah airport, new doors opened for TAV Construction in Saudi Arabia. It was awarded the design-and-build contract for Terminal 5 at the King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, which is now operational. Also TAV was just been selected for the development and operation of three other airports – at Yanbu, Qassim and Hail (see Page 43).

Bahrain

Among its recent successes in the region was a contract awarded last year for the main works package of the Airport Modernisation Programme in Bahrain. Under the contract, TAV Construction is working along with its joint venture partner Arabtec Construction on building a new terminal at Bahrain International Airport.

The programme, a comprehensive development plan designed to cater to future aviation needs and build upon aviation-based economic development in the country, will significantly elevate the service level and upgrade technological infrastructure. It is destined to become a symbol of Bahrain’s progressive society as the modern gateway to the world.

“The main component of the Airport Modernisation Programme, the $1.1-billion contract is the largest project won ever by a Turkish contractor in Bahrain, and covers the construction of a state-of-the-art new terminal building, car-park and airside infrastructure works and central utility complex,” says the spokesman.

With a built-up area of 250,000 sq m, the new iconic terminal will increase the current yearly capacity from four million to 14 million passengers. The terminal design is centered upon efficiency of operations, simplicity and ease of passenger circulation. The new terminal building targets Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification with environment-friendly measures throughout the design-construction-operations lifecycle.

Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah ... the region’s first PPP.

UAE

Meanwhile, TAV Construction – with its JV partners CCC and Arabtec – is currently building the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC) which is set to become the landmark gateway of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. The contract value of the project is $2.9 billion.

“MTC will be the largest building in Abu Dhabi and one of the region’s most architecturally impressive structures; a monumental example for terminals of the future. It will have 700,000 sq m of internal space and its piers will accommodate up to 65 aircraft including eight Airbus A380s at the same time,” explains the spokesman.

The central processor at the terminal building is as big as three full-size football pitches with a height reaching 52 m,” he adds.

The MTC is an important component of the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision, which aims to ensure the sustainable growth of the emirate as a business and tourism centre. At the centre of this vision lies the expansion of Etihad Airways and the successful operations of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), which has become one of the most important brands in airport management.

Oman

Among other successes in the region, in 2009, TAV Construction won the airside and landside infrastructure works package, referred to as MC-1, of the Muscat International Airport in Oman.

Since the completion of its first airport project, the Istanbul Atatürk Airport in Turkey in 2000, TAV Construction has contributed to the construction of a total of 16 airports in the Mena region.