Two deals inked to develop Saudi's King Fahd International Airport

Dammam Airports Company (DACO) has signed agreements with Vanderlande and Serco Middle East to build a baggage handling system and bolster fire safety measures at King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia.

DACO inked a deal with Vanderlande to build an automated baggage handling system, and a separate agreement with Serco Middle East to install fire and rescue services at the airport.

Both agreements were signed at the Airport Show, Dubai, as DACO looks to develop aviation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

DACO was formed in July 7 2017 to manage the privatisation of the exapnding King Fahd International Airport.

On the two agreements, chief executive officer of DACO, Turki Abdullah Al-Jawini, said the business was focused on “expanding the airport’s operational efficiency” through a number of “strategic developments”

This includes the deal with Vanderlande to build the baggage handing system at the airport.

Chief executive officer of Vanderlande, Remo Brunschwiler, said Saudi Arabia’s airports were “poised for tremendous growth” as the country looks to strengthen its position as a prominent logistics and transport hub in the region.

The baggage system to be develop for the airport will “boost the facility’s operational efficiency”, added Brunschwiler.

Serco Middle East’s contract with DACO paves the way for the installation of fire and rescue services at the airport. It the first time ever that a Saudi Arabian airport has used an international service provider for firefighting systems, according to DACO.

Chief executive officer of Serco Middle East, David Greer, added: “Serco is pleased to enter into this agreement with Dammam Airports Company that has been mandated to oversee the operations of the King Fahd International Airport.”

It is unclear when building work linked to the agreements DACO signed with Vanderlande and Serco Middle East will begin.

The values of the contracts were not disclosed.