Riyadh airport Terminal 6 is advancing towards its main construction phase as three international contractor consortiums prepare competing proposals. The shortlisted teams must submit their construction bids by January 2027, according to MEED’s November 2, 2026 report. The procurement marks another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious King Salman International Airport (KSIA) development.
Moreover, the new terminal will increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity by 40 million. King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) targets completion before Expo 2030 Riyadh. Although developers have not disclosed Terminal 6’s construction value, the wider airport development represents an estimated $30 billion investment.
Riyadh airport Terminal 6 attracts three international contractor consortiums
The three shortlisted consortiums have completed their early contractor involvement (ECI) assignments. Consequently, they can now progress towards the main construction tender.
The competing teams comprise:
- Al-Gihaz Holding, TAV Construction and Webuild, representing Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Italy.
- Modern Building Leaders (MBL), PowerChina and Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), representing Saudi Arabia and China.
- UCC Holding and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), representing Qatar and Greece.
During the ECI phase, each consortium submitted detailed construction methodologies and technical design proposals. These submissions helped KSIADC assess the teams’ technical approaches before the main construction competition.
The January 2027 deadline will allow the shortlisted contractors to submit their proposals. Subsequently, KSIADC will evaluate the submissions and progress towards selecting the main construction contractor.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure expansion also extends to military facilities, with the Royal Saudi Air Force advancing the $1.36 billion King Saud Air Base Phase Two construction tender in Hafr Al Batin. The project covers new buildings, roads, utilities and supporting infrastructure, reflecting the Kingdom’s broader investment in strategic aviation facilities.
Riyadh airport Terminal 6 targets Expo 2030 completion
The main terminal contract forms part of a wider airport expansion designed to transform Riyadh’s aviation infrastructure. Furthermore, Terminal 6 will accommodate additional passenger traffic as Saudi Arabia expands its international aviation network.
The wider King Salman International Airport development covers approximately 57 square kilometres. It will integrate existing King Khalid International Airport facilities with new passenger terminals and supporting infrastructure.
The masterplan includes six parallel runways, airport support facilities, logistics parks, retail developments and residential zones. Additionally, the development incorporates recreational and commercial facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns KSIADC, which oversees the airport development. Meanwhile, the airport’s overall development carries an estimated investment of $30 billion. This figure represents the wider airport programme, not Terminal 6’s individual construction contract.
In May 2025, KSIADC appointed US-based Bechtel Corporation as delivery partner for three new passenger terminals. These include the commercial aviation terminal, Terminal 6 and the private aviation terminal.
Meanwhile, UK-based Foster + Partners developed the airport’s masterplan. US-based Jacobs provides specialist consultancy for the masterplan and runway design.
UK-based Mace serves as delivery partner for the broader airport development. Saudi-based Nera provides airspace design consultancy services.
Separate enabling and substructure works have also advanced Terminal 6’s construction preparations. In July 2026, a joint venture between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Mofarreh AlHarbi & Partners secured this package.
The contract covers preliminary construction activities supporting the terminal’s foundations and subsequent structural development. However, this award remains separate from the outstanding main construction contract.
The airport development targets an annual passenger capacity of 120 million by 2030. Its longer-term ambition involves accommodating 185 million passengers annually by 2050.
Additionally, the masterplan targets annual cargo handling capacity of 3.5 million tonnes by 2050. These expansion targets position the development as a major component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 infrastructure programme.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Terminal 6, King Salman International Airport.
Type: International airport passenger terminal construction.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Airport developer: King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC).
Parent organization: Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia.
Estimated overall airport investment: $30 billion.
Additional passenger capacity: 40 million passengers annually.
Overall airport development area: Approximately 57 square kilometres.
Construction procurement approach: Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), followed by main construction tender.
Main construction bidders: Three international contractor consortiums.
Bid submission deadline: January 2027.
Additional infrastructure: Six parallel runways, taxiways, aprons and airport support facilities.
Other development components: Logistics parks, retail facilities, residential zones and recreational developments.
Long-term passenger capacity target: 185 million annually by 2050.
Target completion: Before Expo 2030 Riyadh.
Long-term cargo capacity target: 3.5 million tonnes annually by 2050.
Project Team
Owner and developer: King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC).
Parent company and investor: Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Passenger terminals delivery partner: Bechtel Corporation.
Airport masterplan designer: Foster + Partners.
Masterplan and runway design consultant: Jacobs.
Overall airport development delivery partner: Mace.
Airspace design consultant: Nera.
Main construction bidding consortiums:
- Al-Gihaz Holding / TAV Construction / Webuild.
- Modern Building Leaders / PowerChina / Metallurgical Corporation of China.
- UCC Holding / Consolidated Contractors Company.
Terminal 6 enabling and substructure contractor: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation / Mofarreh AlHarbi & Partners.
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