About 10 groups applied to prequalify for the package, which during prequalification was known as PQ 22. Prequalifiers are understood to include: the South African/local joint venture of Murray & Roberts Contractors(Middle East), with the local Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises; the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty; Al-Naboodah Laing, also local/UK; South Africa's Grinaker LTA, with the local Bu Haleeba Contracting; Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC); a four-strong group made up of the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct, Interbetonof the Netherlands, Arabian Construction Company (ACC)and Arab Technical Construction Company (Arabtec) - both local;and Kuwait's Mohamed Abdulmohsin Kharafi & Sons.

The facilities will be constructed on three levels over a total area of 87,000 square metres. The lowest will be to a depth of 20 metres below ground level. About 2 million cubic metres of concrete will be used to construct the structures, which will take about two years to build.

The estimated $4,200 million DIA expansion will be carried out in seven major packages. The local Al-Naboodah Contractingis carrying out the first major package under an estimated AED 500 million ($136 million) contract awarded in mid-2002. Known as AX 056, the contract involves earthworks and piling for terminal 3, concourse 2 and a car park.

The consultants on the expansion programme are Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners)and France's Aeroports de Paris.