In a strategic move to bolster Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Jacobs, Mace, and Foster + Partners have been appointed to design and build King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.
- The project spans 57 square kilometres, featuring six parallel runways and aiming to serve up to 185 million passengers by 2050.
- This venture is part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas, utilising its strategic geographical position.
- A focus on sustainability is evident, with plans for LEED Platinum certification and the integration of renewable energy sources.
- The airport’s design aims to transform Riyadh into a global hub for transportation, trade, and tourism, enhancing its connections across three continents.
Jacobs, Mace, and Foster + Partners have been entrusted with the ambitious task of bringing the King Salman International Airport to life. Encompassing an area of 57 square kilometres and featuring six parallel runways, the project aims to accommodate up to 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. This ambitious endeavour underscores Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economic reliance away from oil and gas.
Jacobs has been tasked with the meticulous validation and design of the airport’s masterplan, as well as the runway configurations. Their design strategy aims to deliver an ‘aerotropolis’ capable of sustaining the passenger and freight demand necessary for the region’s various giga-projects. The development promises to embody low-carbon principles, integrate renewable energy, and achieve a LEED Platinum certification, making it a paradigm of sustainable and efficient airport operations.
Mace will serve as the main delivery partner, providing comprehensive services across project and programme management, construction oversight, and sustainability strategies. The efficacy of Mace’s approach will be crucial in realising the airport’s readiness to host major global events such as the Riyadh Expo in 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The objectives align with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification strategy, central to Vision 2030.
Foster + Partners will contribute the architectural prowess needed to design key airport assets. Their masterplan includes 12 square kilometres of residential, retail, and recreational facilities, interconnected via a green infrastructure corridor known as the Wadi Loop. This innovative approach not only enhances the passenger experience across the airport’s expansive site but also improves connectivity with the surrounding urban landscape.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in infrastructure, funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is drawing attention from Western civil engineering firms despite associated controversies. The PIF’s role in engaging these firms is evident in its financial commitment to projects like Neom, albeit with some international scrutiny. As stated by PIF, the strategic location of Riyadh makes it a potential global nexus for transportation and trade across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
With its strategic vision and emphasis on sustainability, the King Salman International Airport project exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s ambition for global connectivity and economic diversification.
