Desert Line’s bid for the work came in at $23.2m. The client is the Transport and Communications Ministry.

Other bidders included the local Strabag Oman; India’s Nagarjuna Construction Company; and China’s state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation. Nagarjuna’s bid was the highest at $37.3m.

Ras al-Hadd is a popular but remote tourist destination on Oman’s eastern tip. The airport will allow visitors to avoid a long road journey from Muscat.

It is one of six airports being developed by the government. Others are planned at Sohar, Duqm, Adam, Haima and Shaleem.