Estimated to be worth AED 300 million ($82 million), it will cover the construction of a 4,100-metre-long runway, parallel and link taxiways, navigational facilities and associated works. Construction will take about 30 months. The UK's Halcrow Group is the consultant.

The runway is one of three elements in the estimated AED 1,500 million ($409 million) expansion project. The two other packages cover the construction of a new terminal and a hotel and golf course.

Fifteen contractors have prequalified for the terminal package. Estimated to be worth $250 million-300 million, the contract covers the construction of a two-storey building to house arrival and departure lounges, 11 bays, six remote bays and a 7,000-square-metre shopping area. A cinema complex, meeting rooms, three large lounges and parking for 400 vehicles will also be built. The package has a construction period of about 45 months. The consultant is France's Aeroports de Paris(MEED 14:9:01).

The last package, estimated to be worth AED 150 million ($41 million), covers the construction of a 120-150-room hotel and a nine-hole golf course. Up to 15 contractors have prequalified for the contract. The consultant is the UK's Shankland Cox (MEED 31:8:01).

It is expected that tenders will be issued by the summer for all three packages. 'We are at the last stage of finalising the tender documents,' says a project source.

The US' Parsons International is the project manager; the client is Abu Dhabi's Works Department.