US engineering giant Bechtel, best known in WA for its work on big resource projects, has been appointed to lead the $5 billion redevelopment of Perth Airport.
US engineering giant Bechtel, best known in Western Australia for its work on big resources projects, has been appointed to lead the $5 billion redevelopment of Perth Airport.
The privately owned contractor has been named as the airport’s Capital Portfolio Partner.
“Bechtel will work side-by-side with our team, providing specialist advice and supporting the delivery of our complex infrastructure program,” airport chief executive Jason Waters said.
“The size and scale of our capital pipeline over the next decade means we will continue to partner with expert organisations, fostering innovation and excellence.”
The airport has not specified the cost of its upcoming capital projects but it is believed to be in excess of $5 billion.
The London-based president of Bechtel’s Infrastructure business, Darren Mort, said the contractor was proud to help shape the next chapter of aviation in WA.
“We are delighted to be forming an integrated team with Perth Airport to enable this transformation and build on Bechtel’s rich history in WA,” Mr Mort said.
Bechtel said it had worked on multiple airport and airport-related infrastructure projects around the world, including at London Gatwick, JFK Airport (New York), Dubai International Airport, Hammad International Airport (Doha) and Western Sydney International Airport.
In WA, it is currently head contractor on Woodside Energy’s $7.6 billion Pluto Train 2 project.
Projects it has previously managed include Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG plant and upgrades at Worsley Alumina.
While the company has been successful at winning big projects, it is also known for bringing in workers and expertise rather than developing local capability.
Mr Waters said it was time to build additional capacity to cater for the growing passenger numbers at Perth Airport.
“Work has already commenced on the first of two multi-storey car parks, while site preparation for the new parallel runway will start shortly,” he said.
“This will be followed by an expanded international terminal, a new Qantas terminal, a second multi-storey car park, and our first airport hotel.
“We will also be providing additional capacity for Qantas in terminal[s] three and four to allow them to grow while the other works are completed.
“So, we need to deliver a complex array of projects in a live operational environment.”
