Saudi Binladin Group has been awarded a contract worth AED 227 million ($62 million) to redevelop and expand Sharjah International Airport. The client is Sharjah Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA - MEED 26:11:04).

The contract, which is scheduled for completion by 2006, calls for the refurbishment of 21,000 square metres of existing facilities and the construction of a 20,000-square-metre extension. The extension will comprise new arrival and departure areas, an expanded duty-free area, a 5,000-square-metre check-in area, a new baggage reclaim area of similar size, six new air bridges, three new gates, a new concourse and a 150-vehicle car park next to the arrivals area. Renovation work will include overhauling all airport systems, air-conditioning units and immigration and police counters.

The other bidders for the contract were: Abu Dhabi-based Al-Hamed Development & Construction; the local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion; and the localDarwish Engineering. The project is the first phase in the redevelopment of Sharjah airport, which will see capacity rise to 8 million passengers a year by 2006, up from the existing 2 million.

SCAA is also considering an upgrade of the airport’s facilities to accommodate the new Airbus A380. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank is financing the project. Bahrain-based Projacs International is the project manager. Australia’s GHD is the designer and consultant (MEED 26:11:04).