The Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) has awarded the local contractor, Al Jaber LEGT Engineering and Contracting LLC (Alec), the contract to expand the passenger terminal building at the Al-Maktoum International airport, whereby the airport’s built-up area will increase from the existing 66,107 sqm to 145,926 sqm before the end of June 2017. Subsequent expansions are expected to bring the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 26.5 million by 2025. A much larger expansion of the airport, with a budget estimated at USD33 billion, is being planned. This expansion will result in Al-Maktoum International becoming the world’s largest by 2025, with a capacity to handle 130 million passengers annually. Subsequent phases of the project is expected to bring total capacity to over 220 million passengers by 2050. The DAEP has received bids for the enabling works contract for the mega-expansion projects on 21 March. It has also received offers from consultants for the design of the terminal building and other landside structures. (MEED)