The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has invited contractors to submit prequalification documents by 23 November for the design and construction of new runway utilities at Kuwait International airport.

The expansion of the airport is one of the largest construction projects planned in Kuwait with the total investment expected to exceed $6bn. The largest component is the new terminal building, for which contractors submitted prices in early November.

Turkey’s Limak submitted the lowest bid with a price of $4.7bn. Limak’s price is nearly $1bn lower than the second-lowest price of $5.6bn submitted by Beijing-based China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). The other two bidders are the UAE’s Arabtec Construction at $5.8bn and a joint venture of Italy’s Astaldi with Turkey’s Ictas at $5.9bn.

The new terminal, known as Terminal 2, will contain 30-51 gates, a transit hotel, VIP and first-class lounges, and car parking for 4,500 vehicles.

The new passenger terminal was designed by a team led by the UK’s Foster & Partners, which won the contract in November 2009. Foster & Partners is working with the local Gulf Consult. The design team also includes the UK’s Arup, the US’ Parsons Brinckerhoff and the Netherlands Airport Company. The project client is Kuwait’s Public Works Ministry.

The terminal will increase the capacity of the airport from 6 million passengers a year to 13 million.