UK-based Copperchase expects to invite companies in May to bid for the air traffic control (ATC) tower and airfield contract for the Karbala International airport in Iraq.

The airfield package will include a runway, taxiways and aprons, according to Nahidh Salih, chairman and director of Middle East Projects at Copperchase

The prequalification process for the airport’s new passenger terminal building also appears to have been extended, with Salih confirming on 26 April that they are still accepting prequalification applications.

Salih had previously told MEED that the company was aiming to shortlist three contractors for the passenger terminal package by end of April. It is understood that at least 28 local and international contractors have sought to prequalify for the contract.

Unlike the ATC tower and airfield work package, Copperchase said it plans to directly negotiate the contract for the construction of the passenger terminal building, which will have an initial design capacity of two million passengers a year, with the option to expand to four million.

The passenger terminal building along with the ATC and airfield work packages comprise the initial phase of the project that is expected to cost between $250m and $500m. Funds will be supplied by the finance arm of Iraq’s Imam Hussein Shrine Foundation.

Construction work on the airport project is expected to start on 1 July and will take between 18 to 24 months.

Copperchase will project manage and supervise the airport scheme with support from Manhal al-Haboubi Consultancy.

The new airport will facilitate travel for millions of Shiite Muslims who travel to Karbala and Najaf, which they consider holy cities, every year. Most pilgrims are understood to come from Iran, Pakistan, India, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and European countries.