1 February 2011 Last updated at 01:30 ET

Lagan Construction lands £81m Guernsey Airport contract

The works aims to allow all aspects of Guernsey Airport to last until 2040

Northern Ireland's Lagan Construction has beaten high profile international rivals to overhaul Guernsey Airport's runway.

Work on the reconstruction of the runway and other key operation systems is estimated to be worth £81m and to take about two years to complete.

The current airfield boundary will also be extended to the west.

Lagan Construction have already been part of 35 similar airport projects around the world.

Guernsey's Public Services Minister Bernard Flouquet said: "The urgent repair of the runway is only one aspect of the work required, and represents only around a third of the budget.

"We are also installing a completely new drainage system, replacing the concrete apron areas, installing new ground lighting and upgrading other key systems.

"It is therefore essential that we appoint a lead contractor with the relevant expertise, and in Lagan Construction we have one of the most experienced airfield construction companies."

Lagan beat bids from BAM Nuttall, VolkerFitzpatrick, and Trant Construction to secure preferred bidder status.