MUSCAT -- A contract for the execution of a key phase of the greenfield airport project in Ras Al Hadd in the Sharqiyah region is expected to be awarded in the fourth quarter of this year. Six firms are in the race for the Phase II package of the Ras Al Hadd Airport development contract estimated to cost around $100 million.
The bidding line-up comprises of the joint venture of Alsim Alarko Sanayi Tesisleri Ve Ticaret AS and Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC), Galfar Engineering and Contracting, Strabag Oman, Desertline Projects, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Larsen & Toubro (Oman). Technical and commercial bids, which were opened in July, are currently under evaluation.
Ras Al Hadd is one of six locations identified by the government for the establishment of regional airports as drivers of economic, commercial and tourism development in the different regions of the Sultanate. Greenfield domestic airports are also under various stages of design and development in Sohar, Duqm and Adam, while smaller gateways are also envisaged in Haima and Shaleem.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which is overseeing the development of the regional airports, as well as the multibillion expansion of the Muscat and Salalah international airports, unveiled plans for a new domestic airport in Musandam Governorate. The move underscores the Omani government's continued emphasis on the modernisation of the country's airport infrastructure and the aviation sector in general.
Judging by the pace at which it is being implemented Ras Al Hadd Airport is set to come on stream well ahead of the other domestic airport projects currently under development. Desert Line Projects, a local Omani contractor, is close to completing work on the first phase of the airport project, involving the construction of access roads and the provision of communications and power facilities.
The contractor is also preparing the site for the two main packages of the airport project -- the Phase II Airside Infrastructure package, and the Phase III Terminal Building package. The Phase II package, which is the subject of the current tender, covers the construction of a four-kilometre-long runway, taxiway and apron, as well as the provision of fuel hydrant facilities and navigation aids, among other facilities.
Envisaged in the third phase is the construction of a 20,000 square metre passenger terminal building designed to accommodate up to two gated aircraft ranging from regional jets to the Boeing 747. Also included in this package are the construction of an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and the provision of boarding bridges, baggage handling and security systems and fire-fighting facilities.
In keeping with the Sharqiyah region's enormous tourism significance, Ras Al Hadd Airport will be built to Code F standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) making it suitable to handle some of the largest civilian aircraft in operation today. Besides catering to local and regional traffic, the airport is expected to catalyse the inflow of international tourists and nature lovers attracted by the Sharqiyah region's famed turtle sanctuary, the Rimal al Sharqiyah Sands, and other unique natural and historical attractions.
Canada-based airport development specialist Pryde Schropp McComb Inc (PSMI), in association with Gulf Engineering Consultants of Oman, are leading a team of airport engineers, architects, planners and specialty consultants in the development of the project, which is estimated to cost $250 million. The facility is slated to be operational during 2012.
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
