JEDDAH, 26 October 2003 — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, yesterday signed three-year contracts valued at SR638 million ($170 million) with five Saudi groups of companies for the operation and maintenance of local and regional airports.
Speaking to reporters after signing the contracts, Prince Sultan urged the companies to employ Saudis in airport operation and maintenance after providing them with the necessary training.
The ceremony was attended by Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, and Abdullah Muhammad Ruhaimi, chief of the Presidency of Civil Aviation.
The contracts were awarded to five groups: Saudi Services Company and Muhammad Binladen Company; Saudi Maintenance and Services Company and Binladen Group; Rajab and Silsilah and Partners; Al-Zamil Company for Maintenance and Operation; and Al-Qusay International for Contracting.
Yahya ibn Muhammad Binladen, Rashid ibn Ibrahim Al-Shabrami, Jamal Abdul Aziz Rajab, Zamil Abdullah Al-Zamil and Abdul Aziz Muhammad Al-Adel signed the contracts on behalf of their companies.
“The contracts covered the supply of technical manpower specialized in operation and maintenance of airports, and the supply of equipment and spare parts,” the Saudi Press Agency said. The agency also said the terms of the contracts specified that the companies employ Saudi manpower in most areas of their work, especially in the electrical and mechanical fields.
There are 27 airports in the Kingdom including three international airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The Presidency of Civil Aviation (PCA) recently opened a new airport in Dawadmi at a cost of SR150 million.
The PCA is weighing prospects of establishing a new regional airport in the northwestern coastal city of Dhuba after its seaport has reportedly become a major hub for Gulf passengers traveling to Egypt and other African countries.
The Kingdom has spent more than SR50 billion ($13.3 billion) on airport construction and expansion over the past two decades.
Meanwhile, Prince Sultan chaired a meeting of the Supreme Commission for Food and Medicine in Riyadh which was attended by Prince Miteb, Interior Minister Prince Naif and other ministers.
