Bahrain Airport Company plans to tender the main construction contract for the expansion of Bahrain International airport in the first quarter of 2015 and is preparing a shortlist of prequalified contractors.

UAE-based firms are expected to feature heavily in the shortlist as the development is being financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The project involves the construction of a 170,000 square metre terminal building, together with associated buildings and infrastructure such as car parks and aircraft parking areas. It also involves managing nominated subcontractors working on specialist packages for baggage-handling systems, passenger loading bridges and information technology (IT) systems.

When completed, the new terminal structure is expected to increase the airport’s capacity to 13.5 million passengers a year.

In February 2014, French consultant ADPI was appointed by Bahrain Airport Company to perform all studies on the development of the airport over the next 20 years. As well as developing the new terminal, the study also includes determining future projects that will support the airport operations.

In January, US-based Hill International was awarded the project management consultancy (PMC) for the scheme. Bahrain Airport Company is the client representative working for the Transportation Ministry.