[Oman-L] International airports for Ras al-Hadd and Duqm ?

[Joachim Duester]

Nine firms apply to prequalify for Ras al Hadd airport contracts   
Oman Daily Observer, 14 June 2008

Nine construction firms have signalled their intent to participate in a competitive government tender for the development of an airport at Ras al-Hadd in the Sharqiyah region.

The new airport is seen as key to the Omani government’s goal of positioning Ras al-Hadd as a world-class eco-tourism destination, centring largely on its turtle breeding beaches, nature reserve and potentially rich archaeological heritage.

The greenfield facility, targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2010, is part of an ambitious tourism master plan that includes the development of a number of eco-tourism resorts along the scenic Gulf of Oman coast.

Several international firms are also among those applying to prequalify for construction contracts linked to the development of airside and terminal facilities as part of the Ras al Hadd airport project. The line-up of parties responding by last week’s prequalification deadline are Desert Line Projects, Samwhan Corporation, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Larsen & Toubro (Oman), Strabag Oman, Bahwan Contracting, Galfar Engineering, Alsim Alarko Sanayi and Shanfari Trading.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has envisaged development of the airport in two packages. One package, covering the airside facilities, entails the construction of a four-kilometre-long and 75-metre-wide runway, as well as taxiway, apron and car parking. The other package provides for the construction of the passenger terminal building, concourse and Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, as well as the provision of boarding bridges, baggage handling and security systems and fire-fighting facilities.

Built to Code F design standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport will be suitable for some of the largest aircraft in operation today, including the Airbus Superjumbo A380. Authorities are also pursuing development of another airport project at Duqm on the southeastern edge of the Sultanate. The greenfield facility will be constructed in three phases. In the first phase of the project, also known as Package 1, the selected contractor will develop access facilities and build utilities that serve the airport during the operational phase. Package 2 covers the construction of the runways, while the terminal and associated facilities will be built in Package 3.

The new airport is expected to spur Duqm’s development into a world-scale industrial, petrochemical and commercial hub with a major Port and Dry Dock project at its centre. When operational in the year 2012, Duqm International Airport is also expected to handle some of the largest aircraft in service today, as well as a range of heavy lift aircraft.