Oman’s Transport and Communications Ministry has invited contractors to submit bids to build cargo and new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities at Muscat and Salalah airports.

Contractors have until 22 October to submit bids for the tender.

The construction contract is part of ongoing projects to expand the capacity of both airports. The project to expand Muscat International airport is one of the largest construction projects in the sultanate. In October 2010, a consortium of US’ Bechtel, the local Bahwan Engineering and Turkey’s Enka secured a RO706m ($1.8bn) contract to build the new passenger terminal.

The new terminal building will cover a total area of 300,000 square metres and will have a total capacity of 12 million passengers annually.

Also in 2010, a joint venture of the local Galfar Engineering & Contracting and India’s Larsen & Toubro was awarded an estimated RO294.1m deal for the main construction package to expand Salalah International Airport. The new terminal will cover a total area of 71,000 sq m and will have a total capacity of 1 million passengers a year.

Contractors are currently working on bid submissions for the project to design and build inflight catering facilities at Muscat International airport. Contractors have until 3 September to submit prices for the deal.