Cairo Airport Company has delayed the bid deadline to 7 February for the $400m renovation of terminal two at Cairo International airport.

Companies had been asked to submit bids by 20 January 2011 and before this, a 20 December 2010 deadline had been set. The new bid deadline is unclear (MEED 21:12:10).

Six companies were prequalified for the deal in August 2010. The prequalified companies are:

• Limak Investment (Turkey)                              
• Enka (Turkey)                                          
• TAV Airports Holding (Turkey), Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based), Hassan Allam Sons (local)
• OHL Concesiones (Spain)
• Saudi Binladin Group (Saudi Arabia)
• Orascom Construction Industries (local)/Besix (Belgium)

The renovation plan for terminal two involves upgrading 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. The project will also involve the construction of a new departure hall and airside pier, as well as the construction of larger gates to accommodate the Airbus A380 superjumbo.

Construction is expected to take about three years to complete. The many delays mean that the terminal is not likely to be open until 2014. The local Engineering Consultants Group and Netherlands-based Naco carried out the design of terminal two.