Bids for the civil works package for the expansion of Yemen’s Mukalla International airport are being re-evaluated following the rejection of the original evaluation report.

Yemen’s high tender board started a review of five bids on 14 July. A decision on the contract award is expected to be made within the next two to three weeks, according to a source close to the project.

The airport contract was initially tendered in mid-November last year and bids were submitted in February.

The works package contract includes the expansion of the passenger terminal building, packing and landscape improvements, upgrading of runway lights, replacement of equipment in the control regulator stations and additional transformer equipment. The construction period is for 16 months.

The expanded airport will support the growth of Mukalla’s port and forms part of the World Bank-funded $35m Second Port Cities Development project in Yemen.

The scheme aims to improve access to public infrastructure in the three port cities of Aden, Hodeidah and Mukalla. The project is in its second phase which focuses on the ports of Hodeidah and Mukalla.