Cairo has delayed inviting prequalified contractors to bid for the $400m renovation of terminal two at Cairo International airport as it continues to prepare tender documents.

“The process is taking some time because Ehcaan [Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation] started with the prequalification of firms, which in turn will receive bidding documents,” says a source at the Washington-headquartered World Bank, which is funding the project through a $280m loan approved in March.

In August, Cairo Airport Company prequalified 15 groups and was expected to be in a position to award the contract during the third quarter of this year (MEED 5:8:10).

The project covers an upgrade to the existing terminal so it can handle up to 7.5 million passengers a year, more than double its current capacity of 3.5 million passengers a year.

Work will also involve the construction of a new departure hall and airside pier, as well as the construction of larger gates to accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft.

The construction work is scheduled to finish in 2013. Ehcaan is also due to select a consultant to carry out a detailed inventory of all airport and air navigation service-related fees and taxes, along with a review and comparison of the existing fees and taxes. It will select a second consultant is to develop new air traffic control infrastructure and management strategies for terminal two.

Cairo Airport Company is a division of Ehcaan.