Oman has extended until August 31 a deadline for international firms, including French Vinci and Indian Larsen & Toubro, to bid for the construction of a new terminal at Muscat's main airport.

"Bidders need more time to prepare for the new changes," an Oman tender board official told Reuters on Tuesday, adding bids will be opened on August 31.

The tender, which contractors say is worth about $1.4 billion, has already been pushed back twice this year.

In February, Oman shortlisted six firms including Bechtel, the largest US engineering firm, Saudi Binladen Group, Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Co (CCC) and Joannou & Paraskevaides from Cyprus, to build the terminal for the country's main airport.

Oman has already awarded a joint venture of Turkey's TAV Construction and CCC a $1.17 billion contract for civil works at the airport.

The airport currently handles about 4 million passengers a year and will host 12 million passengers when both expansions are completed.-Reuters