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Broader region upgrades its airports

25 July 2025

This aviation package also includes:

> Middle East invests in giant airports
> Global air travel shifts east

 

While high-profile projects such as the development of King Salman International airport and the expansion of Al-Maktoum International airport have captured headlines, a quieter but equally significant story is unfolding elsewhere.  

Smaller countries across the region are increasingly investing in airport infrastructure, either by modernising existing terminals or constructing entirely new facilities.

Throughout the broader Middle East, governments are dedicating substantial resources to expanding airport capacity in order to meet growing passenger demand, enhance global connectivity and support wider economic reforms.

Oman

Oman achieved a milestone in 2019 with the opening of Muscat International’s new terminal, which increased the country’s passenger handling capacity to 20 million annually.

The government is now shifting its focus to regional airports, including the planned Musandam airport – an important component of Oman Vision 2040. This project aims to stimulate economic development in the Musandam region by enhancing logistics and promoting tourism.

In June, Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority invited firms to prequalify for the enabling works contract for Musandam airport. The project attracted strong interest, with more than 50 local and international companies expressing their intent to participate in the construction work.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Oman is also looking to modernise its aviation ecosystem. Plans are under way to expand the air navigation infrastructure and open the sector to private international investment through concessions for the management and operation of airports and related services.

These efforts align with the National Aviation Strategy 2030, unveiled in 2020, which aims to attract $3.6bn in investment for airport cities over two decades.

Kuwait

Kuwait International airport is undergoing a major redevelopment with the construction of Terminal 2, a project led by Turkish contractor Limak. The long-delayed $5.8bn development is now progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Spanning over 700,000 square metres (sq m) and comprising five floors – including one underground level – the new terminal will significantly boost the airport’s capacity. Once the first phase is completed, it will be able to handle 25 million passengers annually, with capacity expected to increase to 50 million in later phases.

The terminal plays a central role in Kuwait’s ambition to become a regional transit hub and is a cornerstone of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts outlined in the New Kuwait 2035 strategy.

Qatar

Qatar marked a significant milestone in its aviation sector in February with the inauguration of Concourses D and E at Hamad International airport (HIA), boosting capacity to over 65 million passengers a year.

With the opening of these two new concourses, the HIA expansion project – launched in 2018 – is now complete. The expanded terminal spans more than 842,000 sq m and includes 17 new aircraft contact gates.

While high-profile projects have made headlines, a quieter but equally significant story is unfolding elsewhere

Bahrain

Bahrain completed a $1.1bn expansion of its international airport in 2021, more than doubling its annual passenger capacity to 14 million. The project included the construction of a new terminal, upgraded baggage handling systems and enhanced passenger services.

While smaller in scale compared to its regional counterparts, Bahrain International airport plays a crucial role in supporting the kingdom’s financial and tourism sectors.

Continued investment in airport infrastructure is anticipated, as Bahrain seeks to remain competitive in a region where aviation standards are rapidly evolving.

In October last year, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation Mohammed Bin Thamer Al-Kaabi said that the kingdom is considering developing a new terminal at Bahrain International airport. Although discussions are still in the early stages, preliminary plans suggest substantial upgrades – including increased passenger capacity, automated check-in systems, enhanced security features and expanded retail areas.

Iraq

Iraq is gradually rebuilding its aviation sector after years of conflict and instability. In July, it issued a tender for a public-private partnership to rehabilitate, expand, finance, operate and maintain Baghdad International airport in a project valued between $400m and $600m.

The airport’s initial capacity is expected to be around 9 million passengers, with plans to increase to 15 million over time.

According to an official statement, Iraq’s Transport Ministry has prequalified 10 of the 14 international consortiums that expressed interest earlier this year to compete for the tender.

Morocco

Morocco, as part of its MD42bn ($4.3bn) plan to expand key airports ahead of the 2030 Fifa World Cup, has begun procuring contractors to expand its largest airport, Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca.

In June, 28 local and international firms expressed interest in building the new terminal, which will cover approximately 450,000 sq m and is scheduled for completion before the World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain.

Morocco also plans to upgrade airports in Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir, boosting their capacities to 7 million, 16 million and 7 million passengers annually, respectively. Additionally, a new terminal at Rabat-Sale airport will increase its capacity to 4 million passengers, while Fez airport’s capacity is set to rise to 5 million annually.

Main image: Morocco has started the procurement process to expand its largest airport, Mohammed V International airport in Casablanca, ahead of the 2030 Fifa World Cup

 

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Yasir Iqbal

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