Egyptian Airports Company has awarded the preliminary design for the EGP270.5 million ($44 million) expansion of Sharm El Sheikh airport to the Beirut-based Dar Al-Handasah (Shair & Partners).

The project includes the expansion and upgrade of existing facilities and the construction of a new 38,885-sq m terminal with six gates for international arrivals and departures and one gate for domestic flights.
Twenty-one local and international contractors have expressed interest for the project.
A shortlist of candidates was issued in December and a full tender for the project is due this month, according to a spokesman for the company.
The World Bank has indicated it is prepared to finance most of the costs of the project. Enabling works are being carried out by the local Mediterranean Contracting Company, under a $2 million contract.