The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued tender documents to shortlisted companies for two new airport projects, industry sources say. The CAA plans to build a new airport in Islamabad and a new passenger terminal complex and related facilities at Lahore. Both schemes are to be developed on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, the CAA says. Proposals are due to be submitted by 13 August, industry sources say.

In Islamabad, the developer will be responsible for runways, taxiways, terminal buildings and all associated facilities. The CAA says that it has not issued guidelines on the size and capacity of the airport, saying that bidders will use international traffic growth projections.

Shortlisted companies for both projects are understood to include Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company of South Korea, the Saudi/Lebanese Almabani General Contractors Company and Black & Veatch International of the US. Other shortlisted companies are understood to be from the US and Turkey.

The CAA is also developing a new airport at Sialkot on a BOT basis (MEED 18:4:97).