The estimated $75 million project calls for the construction of a new terminal with capacity to handle 1 million passengers and 4,000 tonnes of cargo a year, as well as the upgrading of related facilities. The client is hoping to make an official award by the first quarter of 2007, with completion scheduled for late 2008.

A Japanese/Dutch/local consortium of Japan Airport Consultants, NACO and Engineering Consultants Group (ECG) will jointly carry out engineering and construction management and supervision on the project. The upgrade is being partly financed by a $48 million loan from Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC).

Prequalification is due to be launched by September for the construction of a new runway and terminal at Hurghada airport. The expansion aims to increase the airport's capacity to 7.5 million passengers a year. Construction is set to take 30 months with project completion planned for late 2008 or early 2009. The Hurghada airport expansion project, which is part-financed by Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development (AFESD), is worth an estimated $170 million. Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) is the design consultant, along with Aeroports de Paris (AdP), which has the six-year contract to manage Hurghada airport and four other regional airports (MEED 16:12:05).