Philippines – May 26/17 – Philippines Kills Bid Process for Regional Airports
Following recent extension of the pre-qualification deadline, in a surprise move, the Philippine government cancelled the de-bundled bid process for concession five regional airports: Bacolod-Silay, Davao, Laguindingan, Iloilo and New Bohol (Panglao). The airports were initially put up for bid in 2015, however the process was derailed by a national election ban in May 2016.
Liberia – May 24/17 – Liberia Eyes Cargo Concession for Roberts Airport
The Liberian government has put forward a proposal for concession for the Roberts International Airport to facilitate financing, design, operation and maintenance of a leading-edge cargo handling operation at the airport. If ratified, the concessionaire Global Logistics Services, a Liberian company, will work in collaboration with National Aviation Services of Kuwait.
Jamaica – May 19/17 – Repackaged Kingston Airport Attracts Strong Interest
A total of nine interested groups have submitted credentials for prequalification of the retender for privatization Kingston, Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport. The pre-qualification process closed May 1, with GAP (operators of Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay), Vinci Airports, Cedicor, Acciona Concesiones, GMR and Zurich Airport responding.
Greece – May 11/17 – Greek/Indian JV Presents Novel Approach for Crete
The new Kasteli Airport development project planned for the Greek island of Crete features a novel joint venture between Greece’s GEK-TERNA and India’s GMR (consortium building facilitated by Modalis). The GEK-Terna/GMR offer came in dramatically lower than the forecast €850m price tag. The construction offer is €480m, to be built over 60 months.
Paraguay – May 09/17 – Paraguay on Verge of Tanking Asuncion Bid
Paraguay’s comptroller has been requested by the Ministry of Public Works to review its decision to nullify the PPP tender for redevelopment and expansion of Asuncion – Silvio Pettirossi International Airport due to the absence of a pre-qualification stage in the process. The Sacyr-Agunsa consortium was identified as the preferred bidder for US$149m project.
United States – May 08/17 – Chicago’s South Sub-urban Airport Draws Interest
A total of six parties have expressed interest in developing, operating and maintaining a new airport in the Chicago area. Dubbed the “South Suburban Airport” project, its sponsors—the Illinois Department of Transportation—are in the process of analyzing information received by the proponents. The identities of the interested parties have not yet been released.
Canada – May 07/17 – Canadian PM Douses Airport Privatization Debate
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doused the heated debate on Canadian airport privatization in a recent statement in which he indicated a preference for outside capital to fund the proposed federal infrastructure bank rather than liquidating the country’s busiest airports. Nonetheless, industry insiders suggest that Toronto Airport is a prime and willing “volunteer” for privatization, given its aspirations to become the next global mega-hub and push to improve regional transit connectivity.
Thailand – May 05/17 – Thailand Considers Private Sector Airport Investment
The Thai government is hoping to attract private sector interest in developing 29 airports across the country in a bid to position Thailand a regional hub. Although not yet fully settled, the government has indicated the potential project structures could range from conventional Public-Private Partnership schemes to purely private ventures.
Saudi Arabia – May 02/17 – Ta’if Concession Awarded to Munich & Partners
The General Authority of Civil Aviation for Saudi Arabia recently awarded Asyad Holding, and its project partners Munich Airport and Consolidated Contractors Co., the right to develop and operate Ta’if International Airport under a 20-year concession. The third such airport PPP in the Ta’if region, the project will initially expand airport capacity to 5.0m by 2020.
Serbia – May 01/17 – Incheon Sets Sites on Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport
South Korea operator Incheon has its sight set on Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Int’l Airport. Incheon and 26 other companies have submitted letters of interest to operate and develop the airport under a 25-year concession contract. The government extended the deadline for non-binding offers to May 25 earlier in the month.