Jordan – Feb 28/17 – Queen Alia Project Hailed a Success
Almost 10 years on, the Queen Alia Int’l Airport project is being hailed a success story, with consistent double-digit annual passenger growth and a nearly two-fold increase in total annual traffic volumes since the start of the concession. At the same time, the project has produced over USD$1b in foreign investment, significantly increased the employment rate in the kingdom and enhanced the country’s international investment profile.
Jamaica – Feb 24/17 – Kingston Airport Repackaged & Re-tendered
The Jamaican government is set on putting the development and operation of Norman Manley Int’l Airport into private hands by the end of FY2017/18. The “enterprise team” assigned with the task of attracting a private operator/investor under a PPP framework recently launched a new bidding process. Expressly prohibited from completing in the 2015 tender, which produced no bids, MBJ’s lead investor/operator Pacific Airport Group of Mexico is reported to be considering an offer.
Philippines – Feb /22 – Philippines Restarts Regional Airport Bidding Process
The Philippines has initiated a pre-qualification process for the five regional airports of Bacolod-Silay, Davao, Laguindingan, Iloilo and New Bohol (Panglao). Originally launched by the previous Aquino government, the process was sidelined in the lead-up to the recent national election that brought the Duterte administration to power. Unlike the initial attempt, in which two bundles of airports where put up for grabs, this time the five airports are being offered up individually by the government.
Kuwait – Feb 22/17 – Kuwait Looks at Viability of Airport PPP Model
A feasibility study is reportedly underway for the proposed privatization of state-run Kuwait Int’l Airport, running in a parallel with its ambitious USD4b terminal redevelopment plan. Plagued by tendering delays, the Foster+Partners terminal design will see the airport’s capacity expanded from 10m to 25 m passengers/year.
Pakistan – Feb 20/17 – Pakistan Considers Privatization of Three Airports
The government of Pakistan is said to be considering the privatization of three airports in the Islamic Republic including Karachi-Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and the new Islamabad Int’l Airport, accounting for roughly 80% of the country’s airport traffic.
Bahamas – Feb 07/17 – Nassau to Mark 10-year Anniversary with Vantage
Later this spring the Lynden Pindling Int’l Airport (LPIA) will celebrate its 10th year under private management with Vancouver Airport Services (now dba Vantage Airport Group). Vantage undertook commercial operations at LPIA on Apr. 1, 2007 through the Nassau Airport Development Co., including terminal, airfield facilities and parking, along with US$409m in capital works.
Philippines – Feb 05/17 – San Miquel Offers to Build New Manila Airport
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has offered to build an international airport in Bulacan, to replace the highly-congested Ninoy Aquino Int’l Airport. Back in 2004, SMC submitted a similar offer to the former Aquino government at a cost of USD$10b on roughly 2000 hectares of land, with four runways to support a total terminal capacity of 50-100m passengers/year.
Canada – Feb 04/17 – Canadian Gov’t Downplays Airport Privatization Plans
The Canadian government’s study on privatizing its busiest airports was recently couched by it Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, as simply “exploring different possibilities” rather than a “done deal” as reported by media. Airport authorities, airline and union interests are squaring off against the plan, however a growing pro-privatization voice is gaining momentum.
Bulgaria – Feb 03/17 – Sofia Concession Bid Delayed for Fourth Time
The Sofia airport concession bid deadline has been extended by the outgoing Bulgarian Cabinet once again. The new deadline for proposals, now set for May 19, is the 4th in a series of delays. In mid-2016, the bid process was suspended for parliament to consider a change to the country’s concessions law allowing for concession contracts more than 35 years.
Bermuda – Feb 01/07 – BDA Deal to be Scrutinized by “Blue Ribbon Panel”
The Bermuda government has appointed a “Blue Ribbon Panel” to review the highly contested L.F. Wade airport privatization deal with the Canadian Commercial Corporation and Canadian contractors Aecon. The panel will review the Project Agreement and associated documents and opine on whether it is a “reasonable and fair” deal for the island nation.