$420 million for start of new Doha airport

A union of four companies has won a contract of 1.5 billion Qatari Riyals ( $ 420 million) to implement coast protection which constitutes the first phase of the project to build the new international Doha airport.

The coalition which is composed of four international companies is the Qatari for reconstruction works, the Belgian International company for reconstruction Lex Dridjing and the American Duke Kee company as well as the Dutch West-minister signed the contract with Qatari authorities in a celebration held in Doha on Dunday.

The project is scheduled to be held in three phases at a total cost of $ 5.5 billion. The American Bachtel company in the field of engineering is in charge of designing, implementing and running the project.

The agreement which was signed on Sunday is considered one of the major steps within a series of contracts.

The contract is intended to refill 60 million cubic meters inside the Gulf waters by sands and stones for almost two years.

It is expected that the first phase of the new airport will contain 12 million passengers per year when it is completed in 2009.

The new airport was built to the east of Doha airport which is very often crowded and is being enlarged at a cost of $ 140 million.

With the completion of the building in 2012, the airport capacity will reach 60 million passengers and two million tons of shipped materials annually. The Qatari air lines -- which was established by Qatar in 1994 -- will run the new airport.

The new airport is expected to be opened by the beginning of 2009. Cost of inaugurating the first phase of the airport is estimated at $ 2.5 billion.

Facilities of the new airport is expected to serve 12 million passengers annually in the first phase and 750,000 tons of shipments.