The construction of the new airport terminal that was designed by the architectural firm Foster + Partners has been placed on indefinite hold after most of the contracting companies quit bidding due to the conditions they were required to agree to.
Construction was originally set to start back in 2012 and it was a project everyone in Kuwait was looking forward to seeing completed so this is pretty disappointing news.
37 replies on “New Airport Construction Indefinitely on Hold”
LOL… what conditions….
was it that any labour showed up late for work they would deport him directly from the airport.
Typical, nothing gets done in this country.
Are u surprised? kuwait has been talking about mega projects and reforms since liberation! did u notice anything but the empty buildings being constructed downtown and malls?
This will be parked alongside silk city and the dozens of dreams only used as media headlines. i wont even compare to other countries in the region, its becoming repetitive and obvious that its hopeless. Tomorrow you will hear the smart MPs blaming the expats for airport traffic and how cutting down will solve the problem.
I heard silk city was just recently reactivated again
Probably it has indefinitely put on hold so that Kuwait can finance an airport for Egypt. President of Egypt wants to be 5 or 6 new airports.
Typical, maybe there’s no more money for corruption so it’s on hold until they can get more funding to line the pockets of the greedy.
everything is on hold because everyone is fighting over who gets those governments contracts. All the political fighting in kuwait is over which families that are stealing the country’s wealth via contracts, and those that are disinfranchised and are waiting for their turns to steal.
+1
It will be on hold until Kharafi National gets the project and does a piss poor job cutting corners and subcontracting everything until everyone is happy.
Welcome to Kuwait.
Kharafi National?
* Cough cough bankruptcy cough cough *
Which is exactly why Kharafi National or one of its subsidiaries will get the project. The govt (or the Amiri Diwan) is intent on saving the company from bankruptcy (Jahra hospital was re tendered to them for example). Every project this company has tackled from waste water management to Jahra stadium to new extension of parliament has been delayed or a disaster.
But money talks and bullshit walks in Kuwait.
16000000000 for the airport, people wondering if their was ever going to be an end to corruption. good start in curbing it at least
I know this will be unpopular, but I frankly do not see a need for a new airport. What’s wrong with the current one?
I don’t see anything wrong with your comment :p
It’s a bit small, and unorganized in its layout.
+1
Well, not everyone. I’ll have you know that I think the current airport is more than adequate for our needs.
You don’t see any problems with it? At all? Not even the parking lot?
What happens to the model of the new airport in the departure hall of the current one? Hope they don’t get rid of that too.
30 years down the line at least we can look at that and retrospect.
I agree the current air port is fine only 2 things need to be done have the immigration officers actually work at the stations on arrival and get some (lots) of the little trolleys in the arrival / departure area.
It’s not like lots of people come to Kuwait thank god. Unless the Halla festival draws them in other than that why would people come here unless it is business related.
maybe people who live here? simple minded man
Its no surprise. So many companies whether construction or otherwise, suffer from the ridiculous terms they are expected to agree to. We are never moving forward. I honestly think its wishful thinking….
i dont know from where did you get this news but as per sources the bidding will be opened up in September ! There are 9 companies who have bid from it and only 3 have qualified ! one of them is Arabtec !
Just so you all know the cost for bidding was KD 20,000/-
Wrong info
https://www.zawya.com/story/Firms_quit_Kuwait_airport_project_second_terminal_put_on_hold-ZAWYA20140615100523/
So thats your source Mark ?
Zawya isn’t good enough for you?
Zawya is Bloomberg…
Acerboy
for your info for the airport project 19 JV companies are qualified… and we are talking about 19 BIG companies… and KD 20000/- for bid documents for those companies is NOT A BIG AMOUNT
Where in my comment you saw i mentioned its a big or small amount ?
people like who rely on news paper unlike few with sources who know exactly !
So be happy Mr NOT A BIG AMOUNT !
Acerboy
you were the person who was stressing on “KD 20000/-”
and for your info we are one of the qualified JV companies.. and to be frank your source doesn’t has good info.. bye that was last reply
I dont know how people can say the current airport is fine, its operating at about 2 million passengers/year over capacity, its disorganized and a complete mess, we need to plan for the future, passenger numbers are on the rise and there will come a point when the current building just cant handle anymore traffic. You need to look at the bigger picture, our local airlines can not grow without a new large terminal with proper facilities that would make the passenger experience a comfortable, enjoyable one. We need people to want to fly through KWI and not try to avoid it at all costs!
https://www.zawya.com/story/Firms_quit_Kuwait_airport_project_second_terminal_put_on_hold-ZAWYA20140615100523/
This is typical of Kuwait. Such huge potential but everywhere I see, money is being squandered on substandard jobs. Environmental remediation job – huge disaster, gas assets development – no willingness to pay for the expertise to develop the jurassic gas assets, etc.
I work in proposals and contracts and the terms and conditions here transfers all risks and liabilities to the contractor with the end client not taking any risk at all. Additionally the emphasis on always awarding the job to the lowest priced bidder (its a CTC law by the way) will continually ensure low quality of work in the country. God save Kuwait!
+ 1
Well said WizKid.
Lowest bidder is a standard practiced in more than just Kuwait unfortunately.
Beoble, happyness always comes in small packets and not by the truck loads full. Count your blessings Jazeera Gate is still happening and will be rolled out shortly at KWI International. It’s not the end of the world and besides, this may turn out to be just another hoax. Do not lose sleep over it.
Despite the sad news that this project will not go ahead for the foreseeable future I think its a good thing that the airport did not go ahead. I do not work in construction or population statistics but I think the building of a new airport is the very last thing Kuwait should be thinking of doing.
As everyone who is living in Kuwait we know have terrible traffic, congestion, over populated commercial, residential, corporate (to name a few) sectors and districts. No effective public transportation (metro, bus lanes, taxi lanes) and the laws to enforce such ideas etc etc. If we build a new airport it will make Kuwait very difficult to live, move, commute and work.
Maybe revamp and fix the internal problems we have only then let the the air traffic flood gates open. Just a thought. Love to know what you guys think…