The bidders are: Cyprus-based Joannou & Pareskevaides (J&P - Overseas); the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct, with the local Arab Technical Construction Company; a team of Turkey's TEPE Akfinand India's Punj Lloyd; the local/UK Al-Naboodah Laing; Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC), with Interbeton of the Netherlands; Japan's Taisei; and Baytur of Turkey.

The estimated $300 million main package calls for the construction of: eight hangars for light and heavy maintenance over a total area of about 27,700 square metres; a 12,000-square-metre workshop and central plant building; two taxiways; offices; a power complex; an aircraft washing bay; a gatehouse; and a 73,000-square-metre car park building.

The proposed facility will be used by Dubai-based Emiratesand be built at a site next to the airport exhibition centre. The first phase of the project is due to be completed by the end of September 2004 and the remaining facilities are targeted to be completed a year later. The proposed facilities will be designed to serve wide-bodied Airbus A380 aircraft.

France's Aeroports de Paris (AdP)is acting as project manager and overall design and lead consultant. The UK's Fraser Nag & Partnershipis assisting AdP on the project.