UK-based Copperchase expects to award by the second week of June at least four contracts for the redevelopment work at the Imam Hussein International airport in Karbala, central Iraq.

The firm, which is project managing the airport redevelopment for Iraq’s Transport Ministry, is negotiating the final terms of contracts with at least four companies. They include:

• Thales (France)
• Basil Read (South Africa)
• Am-Tech (UAE)
• Slipform Middle East (UAE)

UAE’s Am-Tech is the main prequalified contractor for the passenger terminal building. France’s Thales is likely to be appointed for the airport’s air traffic control (ATC) equipment and air navigation system.

Other packages under negotiation are related to airside works, which include aprons, taxiways and a runway.

Construction work on the initial phase of the airport redevelopment project is expected to start on 1 July and will take between 18 to 24 months. Piling works for the air traffic control (ATC) tower started on 10 May. It is being executed by UAE-based Middle East Foundations Group.

The passenger terminal building along with the ATC and airfield work packages comprise the initial phase of the project. It is expected to cost between $250m and $500m. Funds will be supplied by the finance arm of Iraq’s Imam Hussein Shrine Foundation.