Sheikh Hamdan signing a contract as Moulayess (right) looks on. ©Gulf News
The Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation Department yesterday awarded the local MCM Group a Dh11 million contract to replace passenger boarding bridges and build a passenger lounge and other related works, all part of the airport expansion.

Larger contracts to build a new terminal and a second runway will be awarded shortly, officials confirmed.

The contract was signed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation, and Khalil Alfred Moulayess, General Manager of the MCM Group, Abu Dhabi.
Completion of the Dh11 million contract is scheduled for late 2004.

"This is the last project associated with works related to increasing passenger capacity of the airport. The airport currently handles about 4.3 million passengers annually," said Sheikh Hamdan.

"Passenger movements at Abu Dhabi International Airport have increased significantly over the past few years and therefore we are keen to implement development projects to enhance the existing facilities to meet passenger growth," Sheikh Hamdan added.

The new passenger boarding lounge will accomodate 350 passengers and will include rest rooms and other amenities.

A senior official of the Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation Department confirmed that the contract for the new passenger terminal at the airport will be awarded soon.

"It is a huge contract and the evaluation is in the final stage. The contract for the second runway will also be awarded shortly," he said.