Macau International Airport project goes to Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald has been appointed to deliver a design overlay for the upgrade of Macau International Airport, as the airport is close to current capacity. The firm will provide a range of consultancy services, from design to construction support. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.
Macau is one of the most densely populated jurisdiction on earth, located under Guangzhou and next to Hong Kong. The former Portuguese colony, which now operates as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is home to one of the world’s highest regional GDPs, derived largely from gambling, tourism and manufacturing.
One of the key access points to the region, which operates its own customs and border controls, is Macau International Airport. The airport, the runway for which is built on recovered land, has a capacity for around six million visitors per year, as well as operating as a major logistics hub for the region’s manufactured goods. Last year the airport processes 5.8 million visitors and 30,000 tonnes of goods - an increase of 6.4% and 4.5% respectively compared to 2014.
As the airport is rapidly attaining its operating capacity, while demand for city visits appears to grow unabated, the airport operators called for a design overlay for its single 3.36 km concrete runway. The aim of the new overlay is to improve the strength of the runway and support additional traffic. For the task, Mott MacDonald has been solicited. The consultancy firm will undertake condition surveys, provide design and quantity surveying services and prepare tender documents for construction. In addition, the firm will provide technical support during both the construction and the defects liability periods.
Jason Wong, Mott MacDonald’s project director, says, “As Macau is a 24-hour airport, the improvement works will be carried out between flights during the night when traffic is less frequent. The runway will then need to be restored to full runway operations in time for peak daily aircraft movements, leaving only a short window for the contractor to carry out their works.”
He adds, “Our international experience on airport projects such as Hong Kong International Airport and understanding of our client’s needs were both key factors in securing this commission. This project will further reinforce our position as one of the key players in the Asia-Pacific aviation sector.”
Ealier this year, Mott MacDonald delivered the expansion of Hong Kong Airport’s Midfield Concourse, catering for 10 million additional passengers per year, for which the firm too delivered design and construction support.
