The substructure package tender for Al Maktoum International Airport, the second airport in Dubai, has been launched by Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects.

It is claimed to be the “biggest” single value contract issued to date for the airport.

This tender was launched by Dubai Airports chairman, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority president and Emirates Group CEO Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Al Maktoum said: “An unprecedented scale. Maybe the biggest ever released in its category. We are targeting an award by early next year. More is yet to come and everyone is looking forward to a busy 2019.”

“An unprecedented scale. Maybe the biggest ever released in its category. We are targeting an award by early next year.”

The package comprises more than 1.7 million square meters of connected basement to accommodate future services of the airport, including baggage handling systems, a ground services road network and other technical and support facilities.

It will also cover foundations, basement walls, columns, basement slabs and top slabs for the first 2.7km-long concourse, as well as the West Terminal building, staff car park and short-term car park, extending more than 18m underground.

Approximately 5.5 million cubic meters of concrete will be poured during the project.

Construction works at the site started in July 2016, with over 90% of the grading and logistics packages currently underway. Works have intensified following the award of the enabling works package last year and the contractor is currently working at the location.

Al Maktoum International, when it opens in 2030, will accommodate 130 million passengers a year annually during the first phase. It will eventually have a full capacity to handle more than 260 million passengers annually.