The local joint venture (JV) of Haglig Construction and Lulu Ayna has started mobilising on the estimated $20 million basic infrastructure package. The scope of works centres on ground levelling, site preparation, provision of access roads and establishment of water and electricity supply. The contract is due for completion by December.

The CAA has shortlisted eight international groups for the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.

The firms are Kuwait's Al-Kharafi Group, China's Beijing Engineering & Construction, a joint venture of Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) with a company identified as Dinti, Cyprus-based Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P Overseas), Brazil's Odebrecht , Saudi Binladin Group, Tepe Akfen Ventures (TAV) and Inca, both Turkish. Under the proposed bidding schedule, a tender is due to be issued on 15 July with bids due to be submitted by November. The CAA is looking to make an award by the end of the year with work on the 42-month contract beginning by January 2007.

The contract covers the core facilities of the greenfield airport, located at Omdurman, about 40 kilometres southwest of the capital. It comprises construction of two 4,000metre long runways, a taxiway system, aircraft parking system, a 70,000-square-metre main passenger terminal, three Hajj terminals, a presidential terminal, air traffic control tower and ancillary airport facilities including a hotel, cargo complex, mosque and hotel.

The Finance Ministry is funding the project. The new airport which will initially have capacity for 6.5 million passengers a year, will replace the existing one, which is situated near an urban area. Germany's Dorsch Consult is the design consultant and project manager.