Just a handful of awards remain on phase 1, which by 2009 will provide capacity for 12 million passengers a year. Phase 2, which has already been approved, will see capacity double a year later.

Two major construction contracts are outstanding on phase 1. Prices have been opened for the cross taxiway and connecting tunnels package, with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company submitting the low bid at about QR 770 million ($211 million) followed by Singapore's Sembawang Engineers & Contractors at about QR 200 million ($55 million) higher.

An award is also expected in February for the catering facility. Three groups are competing for the contract: the South Korean joint venture of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction and Shinhan Engineering & Construction, the local Midmac Contracting and Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering (MEED 8:9:06).

Several equipment supply packages are also under evaluation, including the baggage handling system and the passenger loading bridges. In addition, bids are due on 5 March for the people mover system: the prequalifiers are Canada's Bombardier, Austria's DCC Doppelmayr, the US' Leitner Poma, Germany's Siemens Transportation Systems and Japan's MHI-Hitachi. Finally, the client is preparing to issue the tender soon for the air traffic control equipment package.