Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects has invited companies to bid by 15 April for the contract to refurbish Terminal 1 at Dubai International airport.

The terminal needs upgrading to accommodate the increase in passengers once the under construction concourse D is completed. The new concourse, which was formerly known as concourse 4 will be connected to Terminal 1 with a people-mover system.

The local Alec is managing the construction of concourse 4. For the people-mover, the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty is working on the civil engineering package and Canada’s Bombardier has been selected to provide the systems and rolling stock.

The upgrade of Terminal 1, which is used by international airlines, includes improving the efficiency of the baggage screening process in the departure hall, the replacement of all check-in desks and the upgrade of baggage systems and modernisation of all public areas.

The arrivals hall will also be modernised and expanded to improve passenger flow through the airport. The revamp is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

In 2012, Dubai processed 57.6 million international passengers, establishing it as the world’s third busiest international airport. Dubai Airports is forecasting 66 million passengers passing through the emirate in 2013.