The firms include Combined Group Company, Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading Company, Mushrif Trading & Contracting Company, Mohammed Abdulmohsin al-Kharafi & Sons, and Copri Construction Company.

Known as package one, it covers construction work across the runway, taxiways, aprons and access roads at the airport.

The client is the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the consultant is Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah Consultants (Shair & Partners).

Package two will cover the construction of a number of buildings at the airport including two new fire stations.

The work is part of a wider plan to expand the airport, which could bring passenger capacity up to 20 million a year from six million (MEED 26:09:08)