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Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2

Kuwait, Kuwait

2016 - Ongoing

AirportInfrastructureTransportationUrban Expansion

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Project Description

Approach Words: Competitive City, Integrated City, Sustainability

Public Policy Instruments: Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning

Terminal 2 (T2) at the Kuwait International Airport (KIA) is a new passenger terminal¹ project that aligns with the airport’s² expansion plan³ to significantly increase the airport’s current capacity to accommodate up to 25 million passengers annually⁴. The aim is to position KIA as a new regional air hub in the Gulf region, while also serving as a gateway to the State of Kuwait⁵. This strategic objective is complemented by a comprehensive design and services approach, targeting LEED ‘gold’ certification⁶, which seeks to establish a new environmental benchmark for airport buildings⁷ while providing the highest levels of comfort for passengers⁸.

To meet these objectives, a master plan was proposed for a 0.75 square kilometer⁹ site located within the current KIA airport premises in the Sabhan area, south of Kuwait City¹⁰. The terminal features a trefoil-shaped layout, composed of three symmetrical wings of departure gates, each with an edge length of approximately 1.2 kilometer and a clear height of up to 25 meters¹¹.

Title: Location of the new terminal (T2) at Kuwait International Airport.

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Title: Rendered master plan of the Kuwait International Airport terminal 2.

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Title: 3D render of a section showing the infrastructure below the new airport terminal (T2).

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Title: Photo shows the ongoing construction of the new terminal (T2).

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Title: Location of the new terminal (T2) at Kuwait International Airport.

Source: Click Here

Title: Rendered master plan of the Kuwait International Airport terminal 2.

Source: Click Here

Title: 3D render of a section showing the infrastructure below the new airport terminal (T2).

Source: Click Here

Title: Photo shows the ongoing construction of the new terminal (T2).

Source: Click Here

Specifically, it consists of a basement with three floors, 28 terminal gates, including 8 gates for the Airbus A380, parking spaces for a minimum of 4,500 cars, and a transit hotel with a capacity for 400 beds¹² ¹³. The exterior finish features a galvanized roof with curtain walls façade that is resistant to weather conditions and is explosion-proof¹⁴. The landscaping near the building incorporates a green area with indigenous desert plant species that extends over a vast area¹⁵. The project also plans to build a new metro line that will connect Kuwait City’s center to the airport, in addition to creating a new landside access for the terminal from the south¹⁶.

The terminal will be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly¹⁷ ¹⁸, as it will include a large number of photovoltaic panels installed on the roof to provide renewable energy for the building’s operation¹⁹. Additionally, the concrete structure will feature thermal insulating properties to enhance energy efficiency²⁰.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Ministry of Public Works ³⁷ ³⁸

Directorate General of Civil Aviationi ⁱ ³⁹

Consultant/Designer

Foster + Partners ⁴⁰

Gulf Consult ⁴¹

Funder

Kuwait Government ⁴²

Contractor/Implementer

Limak ⁴³

MAMMOET ⁴⁴

Mega Yapi ⁴⁵

Owner/Developer (Public)

Ministry of Public Works ³⁷ ³⁸

Directorate General of Civil Aviationi ⁱ ³⁹

Contractor/Implementer

Funder

Consultant/Designer

Foster + Partners ⁴⁰

Gulf Consult ⁴¹

The project is initiated by the Ministry of Public Works in Kuwait²¹ ²². It has commissioned Gulf Consult²³ and Foster + Partners (UK)²⁴ on behalf of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to carry out the study and design of Terminal 2 at the KIA in 2016²⁵. The project’s implementation started in 2017²⁶, where Limak²⁷, a Turkish company was awarded the²⁸ contract as main contractor responsible for project construction. MAMMOET²⁹ and Mega Yapi³⁰ are the primary subcontractors supporting Limak in the implementation of the project. The overall estimated project cost is a $4.3 billion, funded by Kuwait Government³¹.

The project will be implemented under three key phases:

First Phase: It includes the passenger terminal, central station, and the connection to service tunnels³².
Second Phase: It involves car parking, service buildings, and roads leading to the new passenger terminal (T2)³³.
Third Phase: It includes aircraft parking and taxiways³⁴.

The first phase will increase capacity to accommodate 13 million passengers annually, however, the next phases will increase capacity to accommodate 25 million to 50 million passengers annually³⁵. It is worth noting that the project is estimated to provide 15,0000 job opportunities for Kuwaiti youth³⁶.

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://www.mpw-kwtairport-t2.com/

Endnotes

i The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the civil aviation authority of Kuwait. It involves the management and operation of Kuwait International Airport. More information about the civil aviation is in this link: https://www.dgca.gov.kw/ (Accessed on 14 March 2024).

References