The other bidders are: TAVof Turkey, with the local Holding Company for Roads & Bridges; Saudi Binladin Group, with the US' Turner International; Taisei Corporation of Japan; France's Vinci, with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC); and Cyprus-based Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P - Overseas).

The local Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Company)is carrying out enabling works on the project, which will involve construction of a third terminal (T3) with a built-up area of 164,000 square metres. The terminal, which has been designed to handle 11 million passengers a year, is due to open in early 2007.

The local ECG Engineering Consultants Groupis the engineering design and construction supervision consultant on the project. The project manager on Cairo terminal 3 is Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners), which is also overseeing the construction of a new terminal at Sharm el-Sheikh airport. Saudi Binladin Group emerged as low bidder for the main construction package after prices were opened in early August (MEED 13:8:04).

www.meed.com/construction