Oman’s Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) has extended the bid deadline for the main building works for the new airport being built in the economic zone. Bidders now have until 16 February instead of 19 January.

The scope of work on the project’s third phase includes the construction of the passenger and cargo terminals, air traffic control complex and related support facility buildings, ensuring the airport is fully functional and ready to use. The tender is open to local grade one and above contractors, as well as international contractors.

The third phase of the airport development was put on hold in the first quarter of 2012 for undisclosed reasons.

Construction of the first phase, which covers the provision of utilities and road access to the airport, was completed by the local Desert Line Projects. Work on phase 2, which covers the construction of the runway and installation of aircraft landing equipment, is being undertaken by China’s Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

France’s ADPI is the project manager for the first two phases, as well as the designer and project manager for the third phase.

The development of the airport forms part of a larger plan to turn the central eastern port town of Duqm into a major trade and transport hub, including establishing the country’s fourth-largest seaport and building a major refinery and petrochemicals complex.

In November, the local Renaissance Services issued a design and construction tender for the construction of a new RO80m ($207.8m) worker’s village at the economic zone.