The contracting consortium of Turkey’s TAV, Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and the local Arabtec Construction was given notice to proceed with the construction work for the Midfield Terminal building at Abu Dhabi International airport on 26 August.

The notice from Abu Dhabi Airports Company followed the appointment of the US-based team of Hill International and Aecom to manage the construction of the terminal building.

The contracting consortium formally signed the estimated AED10.55bn ($2.8bn) contract in late June. According to regional projects tracker MEED Projects, it is the largest construction contract ever awarded in the UAE.

The midfield terminal will be built between the two existing runways at Abu Dhabi International airport. The total built-up area will be 630,000 square metres and it will include a multi-storey car park. The terminal will include 27,000 sq m of retail and food and beverage outlets. It will also comprise 65 contact gates that will be able to accommodate A380 aircraft.

Shortlisted contractors are also preparing to resubmit bids on 16 September for the estimated AED1bn ($272m) contract to build the airside areas for the Midfield Terminal building.

Contractors submitted bid for a remeasurable contract in early June. The contract has now been changed to a lump-sum contract shortlisted bidders have been asked to submit fresh bids.

The contract will support the 65 contact gates and up to 19 remote stands that the proposed terminal building will have. The construction work involves infrastructure and civils works around the midfield complex, including 300,000 sq m of pavement concrete, 600,000 sq m of flexible pavement with taxiway connections to the existing and future taxiway systems, and the installation of utilities such as power, stormwater drainage and a jet fuel system.