$4.3bn Kuwait International Airport expansion to be completed ahead of schedule

The KD1.3bn ($4.3bn) expansion of Kuwait International Airport will reportedly be completed two years ahead of schedule under a new commitment from Turkish contractor Limak Construction Co.

Kuwait Times cited minister of social affairs and labour and minister of state for planning and development affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh as confirming the project will be completed in four years rather than six following talks with Turkish development minister Lutfi Elvan.

“The project is of strategic importance, this is why all competent authorities worked together to facilitate its implementation,” she was quoted as saying.

The new 708,000-square-metre terminal, designed by Fosters + Partners, will allow the airport to handle 25 million passengers a year when completed.

It will comprise 51 gates and stands, with the ability to serve 21 Airbus A380 superjumbos simultaneously and include 66,000 solar panels on the roof capable of generating 12MW of power.

Read: Kuwait awards $4.3bn tender for new airport terminal

As part of wider talks with the minister, Al-Sabeeh said Turkish companies were being encouraged to tap into other investment opportunities under Kuwait’s five-year development plan.