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UAE-Brazil JV to construct Dh1 billion runway at Abu Dhabi International Airport

"The Dh1 billion second runway contract has been awarded to Odebrecht-Al Jaber," announced Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

The award concluded an extensive bid evaluation process to select the best offer out of the six bids received from the firms short-listed by the supervisory committee for the expansion of Abu Dhabi airports 'Scadia.'

Under the Dh1 billion plus contract, Odebrecht-Al Jaber will construct a 4,100 metre category III runway, spaced at a distance of 2,000 metres from the existing runway. The work is to be completed in 18 months. "That should be just on time to receive the first of the giant Airbus A380s that will join the Etihad fleet starting from early 2008," said Khalifa Al Mazrouei.

The signing of this contract represents a major milestone.

"The start of work on the new runway puts us firmly on track to achieve our long-term objectives," said Al Mazrouei.

A significant portion of the interim programme has already been completed.

With the main terminal having undergone massive renovation, and two additional terminals, 1A and 2 already operational since August 2005, the airport’s passenger capacity has increased to 6.5 million per year.

That capacity will receive a major boost when the new mega terminal complex, situated between the two runways, comes on stream by 2010.