Engineering consultants have been invited to prequalify for a number of deals regarding the expansion of both the existing Dubai International airport and the new Al-Maktoum International airport near Jebel Ali port.

Prospective bidders have until 18 September to submit documents. The expansion covers the third phase of Dubai International airport’s expansion and the second phase of Al-Maktoum International airport’s upgrade.

The prequalification covers several schemes, including:

• Interior fit-out projects such as airport lounges, offices and passenger facilities (contract valued at AED5m-50m [$1.36m-13.61m])
• General facilities such as maintenance sheds and fire stations (AED10m-200m)
• Specialised facilities such as cargo handling units (AED10m-200m)
• Specialised facilities such as terminals and concourses (AED200m)
• Airport infrastructure projects, such as runways, stands and navigation systems
• Specialised systems including information technology (IT) infrastructure
• Operational readiness, transition and compliance assistance

The Al-Maktoum airport’s passenger terminal is scheduled to open in late October this year, with Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air and Saudi Arabia’s Nasair to begin operating flights.

Dubai International airport is increasing its capacity from 60 million to 90 million passengers a year by 2018. The airport is reporting consistently rising passenger and traffic volumes. In July, it reported a hike of more than 6 per cent in passenger volumes, compared with the same month last year. A total of 5.3 million passengers passed through the airport that month.

Dubai International’s expansion plans include expanding Terminal 2 by 2013 and completing concourse 4 by 2015, which will connect with Terminal 1.