(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Abu Dhabi has picked a consortium of construction firms comprising CCC, TAV and Arabtec, as a preferred bidder to build its multi-billion dollar Midfield Terminal Building, or MTB, at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The Abu Dhabi Airports Company, or Adac, confirmed it is "currently in discussions to finalise all details of the contract" before officially announcing the winning contractor in June.
"With this announcement the MTB is on-track to become the capital's aviation gateway in 2017," chairman Khalifa Al Mazrouei said.
The 700,000sqm terminal building is one of the key strategic infrastructure projects to be undertaken in Abu Dhabi, and will initially handle 30 million passengers per year. It is set to become the future home of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE.
The expansion and redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport is aimed at delivering world-class aviation infrastructure to support the emirate's long-term economic and tourism strategies that will underpin Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030 in building a vibrant and diversified economy.
Abu Dhabi is projecting a surge in tourism from 1.8 million visitors in 2010 to 2.7 million by 2013, and to 7.5 million by 2030.
"Adac will ensure that the aviation infrastructure in the emirate to support this opportunity," Al Mazrouei added.
Abu Dhabi International Airport is one of the fastest-growing hubs in the world. Its growth rate of 19.7 per cent over the last five years has been spurred by the rapid growth of its hub airline, Etihad, and the increasing attraction of Abu Dhabi as a destination for business and leisure.
In 2009, the airport's Terminal 3 was commissioned, fully-dedicated to Etihad Airways.
In line with Etihad's expansion plans and Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030, growth over the next 20 years is forecasted to be robust, and the new terminal will accommodate the projected traffic demand of 47 million passengers in 2030. The new terminal will include over 200 check-in counters and will be capable of handling over 8,000 passengers per hour. The baggage system is designed for almost 20,000 bags per hour and will have over 22km of conveyors and 10 reclaim carousels.
Security screening lanes for passengers will total 136 with a further 25 for staff. The terminal will have 18,000sqm of duty-free shopping and almost 10,000sqm of international restaurants. Passenger facilities will also include over 27,500sqm of 23 hospitality lounges, and a heritage museum.
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