Damascus International Airport embarks on historic US$4B redevelopment led by Qatar’s UCC Holding Consortium

QATAR/UAE – Syria’s civil aviation authority has finalized a US$4 billion concession deal with a consortium headed by Qatar’s UCC Holding to reconstruct, expand, and operate Damascus International Airport.

This unprecedented investment aims to modernize the facility and elevate Syria’s air transportation capacity.

The consortium, comprising Urbacon Concessions Investment, Turkish contractors Cengiz İnşaat and Kalyon İnşaat, and US-based Assets Investments, signed the definitive agreement following an August 2025 memorandum.

This long-term Build-Operate-Transfer contract envisions a phased transformation to support a projected 31 million passengers annually upon completion.

Initial work includes the construction of Terminal 2 with operations planned before the Hajj season in May 2026, enhancing passenger handling to around 6 million annually.

Terminal 1 will be simultaneously refurbished with full upgrades expected by the end of 2026.

Subsequent phases focus on airside infrastructure expansion, including new aircraft stands, cargo facilities, and the launch of Terminal 3 featuring up to 32 gates and a premium duty-free zone with global brands and eateries.

The terminal’s first phase aims for 16 million passengers yearly, reaching full capacity at 31 million.

Renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects designed the master plan, which also includes a five-star hotel and a free trade zone.

Engineering duties are managed by HESCO Hammada, while design elements for the new hotel are handled by Qatar’s H’Collective. Dar Al-Handasah and DG Jones oversee project management and cost control.

Additional airport upgrades involve introducing electronic gates to enhance passenger processing efficiency.

A US$250 million fund supports acquiring new aircraft to boost Syria’s aviation capability.

The project is set to create over 90,000 jobs in construction and operations, spanning engineering, logistics, ground services, and hospitality.

This transformative effort aligns with Syria’s broader economic reconstruction initiatives, including recent agreements to build new power plants.

UCC Holding has expanded its investment portfolio extensively in 2025, reinforcing its strategy of developing large-scale infrastructure projects across multiple sectors.

Beyond the ambitious Damascus International Airport redevelopment, UCC Holding has focused on advancing energy and construction projects vital to regional development.

The company recently signed agreements to develop multiple power generation plants in Syria, totaling 5,000 megawatts, supporting the nation’s electric grid stability and economic recovery.

This aligns with UCC’s broader commitment to sustainable infrastructure and energy security in the Middle East.

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