Local JV wins first airport deal

16 June 2006

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, has awarded the first construction contract on its $530 million Khartoum New International Airport (KNIA) project. The CAA has also shortlisted seven international contractors for the main contract (MEED 6:1:06).

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 seven international companies shortlisted by the CAA for the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract include Saudi Binladin Group, Turkey's Tepe Akfen Ventures (TAV) and Brazil's Odebrecht. Four other firms from China, Canada, the UK and Turkey have also been prequalified. 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 4,000-metre-long runways, a taxiway, aircraft parking system, a 70,000-square-metre main passenger terminal, three Hajj terminals, a presidential terminal, an air traffic control tower and ancillary airport facilities including a hotel, cargo complex and mosque.

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.

www.meed.com/construction

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