NINE consortiums and groups of international contractors have been short-listed by the Provisional Airport Authority (PAA) to tender for a $3.5 billion contract to build the main airfield at Chek Lap Kok.
Bids are due back in early January and the PAA expects to award the contract in March.
Cash for the project was approved by the Legislative Council as part of a $15 billion financing package agreed to on July 1.
Work includes the construction of the first 3,800 metres long, 60 metres wide runway and more than 12,000 metres of taxiways.
There are also extensive apron areas in front of the passenger terminal and maintenance, cargo and general aviation facilities.
About $1.5 billion is expected to be spent on the runway and taxiways with more than $2 billion budgeted for the drainage and utility works, according to Government figures.
The groups are: ACG Joint Venture: Amec International Construction (UK), China Fujian Corp for International Techno-Economic Co-operation, Heilit+Woerner Bau (Germany).