US construction and engineering giant Bechtel has been hired by commercial state company, daa, formerly Dublin Airport Authority, as the integrated delivery partner for the airport’s five year expansion programme after a public tender.
Bechtel staff will be integrated into Dublin Airport’s existing team.
"This is a new approach in the Irish market for a major program of works, and it will bring significant benefits for Dublin Airport," said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison. "Working with Bechtel, we will bring a portfolio management approach to the forthcoming capital programme and this will deliver efficiencies across a range of areas."
In recent months, daa has started the procurement process for a series of long-term projects. The plan is to have construction projects shovel ready for when passenger numbers have recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Passenger numbers fell by 78% to around 7.4 million last year due to the pandemic. That was down from a record 32.9 million passengers in 2019.
Bechtel said rebuilding Ireland’s connectivity will play "a vital role in helping the Irish economy to recover".
John Williams, Bechtel’s UK & Ireland managing director, said: "We’re honoured to be selected as Ireland’s first delivery partner within an integrated team contract and we embrace the opportunity to set the highest of standards for future infrastructure projects to follow.
"Our team is excited to bring our experience and innovation to this hugely significant capital investment programme."
Image: Dublin Airport (Victor Vega/Dreamstime)
