Suppliers get USD2 billion tender chance for new Doha Airport

US giant Bechtel Aviation, which is managing construction of the region's only greenfield airport, one that is built from scratch, will use the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition in Dubai to expose the $2.6 billion mega project to the maximum amount of bidders.

"So far, we have awarded contracts worth about US$600 million for site mobilization, land reclamation and rubbish landfield removal work," said Rudy Vercelli, Bechtel's Director, Global Strategic Development.

"Our priority in the coming months will be finding the most advanced and qualified airport equipment suppliers in the market and our needs cover a vast range of goods, from runway lighting to baggage scanning and handling systems."

Addressing an international audience of airport suppliers at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition, taking place from 23-25 May at Dubai's Airport Exp, Vercelli will detail Bechtel's needs and demands for the project, as well as the airport's tendering procedure. With business worth around $2 billion still at stake, he is certain to have a captive audience.

"Our goal is to open lines of communication with as many contractors and suppliers as possible, as this will ultimately ensure we tap the best companies in the marketplace and obtain the most competitive prices,"said Vercelli.

Situated approximately four kilometers east of the existing airport, the New Doha International Airport will feature two runways mostly constructed on reclaimed land. The project's master plan lays out a development in three stages, with Phase One scheduled for completion by late 2008 or early 2009. By the time it is fully developed, the airport will have 80 contact gates with a capacity to handle over 50 million passengers per year.

"With a total area equivalent to more than a third of the size of the city of Doha, the New Doha International Airport is one of the most challenging and ambitious projects in the world at the moment and Mr. Vercelli's presentation will be a great help for exhibitors who want to be a part of this project" said Nick Webb, director, Streamline Marketing, organisers of the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition.

Now in its fifth year, the event attracts a targeted audience of regional departments of Civil Aviation, government officials, VIPs and Middle East-based consultants and contractors behind many of the region's airport development projects.

Held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and chairman of Emirates Group, the exhibition also enjoys the support of the French Airport & ATC Technology Trade Association (PROAVIA), which represents the interests of 40 major French manufacturers. There will be dedicated pavilions representing German Airport Technology & Equipment (GATE), British Airports Group and Netherlands Airport Technology (NAT).

All exhibitors have pre-arranged meetings with the relevant project manager, engineer or architect in the Dubai DCA and/or their consultants, enabling them to discuss Dubai International Airport's expansion as well as the new Jebel Ali Airport.