The UAE emirate of Ajman has signed a Dh367 million ($100 million) contract with a British firm to build an international airport.

The terminal is expected to become operational in the second-half of next year.

It said UK Wiggins Group had undertaken the build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract to construct the terminal and allied infrastructure.

Project work at the Al Helou site near the Ajman Cement plant is set to start soon, the report said.

Meanwhile, neighbour Sharjah has announced a 15-year expansion plan to cope with increasing demand.

The expansion plan is also in line with the management's objective of offering the best services to customers, Sharjah Airport Authority director general, Dr Ghanem Al Hajri, said.

He said Sharjah airport had been affected in a limited manner by the September 11 attacks in the US.

He said the airport is maintaining a reasonable performance in cargo business although it had dropped in volume in the last two months.