Saudi Binladin Group assigned INIA terminal project for USD 300 mn

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) – in charge of managing Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) in Hulhule’, has said that the project to build a new international passenger terminal in the airport was assigned to Saudi Binladin Group for USD 300 million.

The project was officially handed over to Binladin Group in a ceremony held at the airport on May 21.

The value of the project was not released at that time.

Managing Director of MACL, Adhil Moosa spoke to “Sun” on Monday and said that the project was assigned to Binladin Group for USD 300 million – a large percentage of the total cost of USD 800 million to develop the national airport.

“Approximately USD 300 million will be spent on this project – which is the component for the new terminal from the money to develop the airport,” said Adhil.

Speaking about the progress of the project, Adhil said that all the administrative work was being taken care of at the moment.

He said that about 3,000 of Binladin Group’s staff would be working on the project at any given time. And that both MACL and Binladin Group therefore needed to discuss how to make the best arrangement to facilitate that.

Adhil said that it would take about three more months before construction starts, and that it would take three-four years to complete the work on the entire terminal.

“We estimate it would take three to four years for the terminal. All physical work will be complete within three years for sure. But it will take some time for operations to start. Because operations cannot start that simply at international terminals. There is additional work that needs to be done when shifting the entire operation to another place,” said Adhil.

The larger project to develop the airport also includes building a new runway.

Adhil said that the company assigned the task on building the runway had brought in some of the machinery and equipment needed for the work. And that the worksite was being prepared for the project at the moment.

INIA now serves about 3 million passengers per year, on average. And 1,000 passengers at any given time.

The new international passenger terminal is designed to serve 7.5 million passengers, annually. And 3,000 passengers at any given time.

Attributes specific to the new international passenger terminal:

• 40 departure gates

• 12 shaded jetties

• 78,000 square meters

• 38 immigration counters

• 6 aero bridges, with capacity for 4 more

• Baggage screening, baggage service belts

• High explosive detection system

• Fuel hydrant system