The Etihad terminal will have a built-up area of 55,000 square metres. It will be connected to the existing main terminal and will include six-nine contact gates, passenger and baggage handling areas, and office and maintenance areas. Completion is due in about 18 months. The UKs Pascal & Watson is the design consultant.

For the air traffic control building, EoIs have been invited by 16 September. The contract will involve the construction of a tower more than 100 metres in height, including all mechanical and electrical works except the air traffic control equipment. Construction is due to begin in February 2007. The consultant is Frances Aeroports de Paris (AdP MEED 28:7:06).

The Etihad terminal is part of the $8,000 million Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) masterplan for the airport, which centres on the construction of a 220,000-square-metre terminal, midfield between the existing runway and a new one under construction 2 kilometres to the north. The midfield terminal, under design by US-based Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (KPF), is expected to increase the airports passenger handling capacity by 20 million when it comes on stream by 2010.

The US Parsons International is the programme manager.