Kuwait – Apr 30/18 – New Kuwaiti World Class Airport on the Drawing Board, Under PPP Framework
A new world-class 25m passenger airport is under consideration by the Kuwaiti government to meet the country’s sustained growth in airport traffic. Planned for northern Kuwait, the USD12b development is proposed to be structured under a PPP with the government putting up the land and the private sector engaged to build, operate and manage the project.
Ukraine – Apr 29/18 – Kiev’s Boryspil Eyed for Privatization by Ukraine Amid Aftermath of Crimea Crisis
After years of talk and with the omnipresent threat of further Russian military action, word has it Ukraine is pondering concession of one or more airports of its airports, including Kiev Boryspil. The National Investment Council Office contends that there is investor appetite for the opportunity, stating that a deal could be achievable within a two year time frame.
Nepal – Apr 28/18 – Nepal Considers Private Sector Options Amid Congestion and Dismal Service Levels
Choked by congestion, Nepal is starting to look to private sector capital as a potential option to fund much needed airport expansion and modernization. With no significant upgrades in over 28 years, passengers are facing long queues amid the most basic of service levels. Studies recommend relocation of domestic service to Thulachaur in Kavre.
India – Apr 26/18 – Chennai Airport Privatization May be Back on the Table
Recent chatter in the Indian press indicates that Chennai’s airport may be back on the block for privatization. The Airports Authority of India commissioned a study to assess the feasibility of structuring Chennai under a PPP framework. The study was apparently conducted six months ago, however no clear outcome/recommendations have been released to date.
Zimbabwe – Apr 25/18 – Private Sector Finance Considered for Modernization of Zimbabwe’s Airport Network
The government of Zimbabwe is reported to be seeking financial advisors to assist in the capital raising for various critical infrastructure projects across the country, including airports. The county’s eight airports have seen very little in the way of capital investment over the past decade, or so, due to scarcity of public funds. A range of instruments are being considered including bonds and debt, as well as various PPP structures.
France – Apr 24/18 – VINCI Expands its Ever-growing Global Network with Acquisition of Airports Worldwide
VINCI recently expanded its global network with acquisition of the Airports Worldwide portfolio, giving the French conglomerate a beachhead in United States and a stronger presence in South America and Europe. The deal includes acquisition of shares in a total of 12 airports within the United States, Costa Rica, Northern Ireland and Sweden bumping VINCI’s worldwide network of airports to 45 and increasing passenger throughput from 25.6m to over 182m per year.
Nigeria – Apr 21/18 – Nigeria Looks to Reform its Legislative Framework in Bid to Attract Private Sector Capital
In a drive to attract private sector investment and expertise to its burgeoning and underbuilt airport infrastructure, the Nigerian government is taking steps to enact enabling legislation and provide necessary investor security to bring private capital to the table. The move comes on the heels of critics warning that Nigeria’s PPP ambitions will not get off the ground until international investors have the confidence that agreements and the rule of law will be respected.
Saudi Arabia – Apr 20/18 – Saudi Puts the Brakes on Riyadh Airport Privatization Plan
With the cloud of the recent Jeddah concession termination looming large, Saudi Arabia put the brakes on privatizing Riyadh’s King Khaled International Airport, the second biggest passenger airport in the kingdom. Last year Saudi Arabia announced aggressive plans to privatize its entire network of airports in a drive to increase efficiency and reduce fiscal pressures.
Philippines – Apr 10/18 – Aboitiz Unsolicited Proposal for Philippine Regional Airports Rejected
The Philippine government said to have rejected Aboitiz InfraCapital’s offer to expand and operate the regional airports of Laguindingan, Iloilo, Bacolod and New Bohol under a 35-year concession. The Department of Transportation is apparently opting, instead, for a solicited bid process. The original proposal call for the regional airport bundle, initiated prior to the 2016 national elections, was scuttled when the new Duterte administration took power.
Japan – Apr 02/18 – VINCI/Orix Assume Operations of Kobe Under 42-year Concession
Kobe City announced its plan to privatize Kobe airport in late 2016. Although several bidders participated in the proposal call, the VINCI/ORIX-led Kansai Airports group had the benefit of a right-of-first-refusal, based on the government’s objective to consolidate the operations of the Kansai, Itami and Kobe airport cluster. As expected, VINCI/Orix prevailed, securing the rights to operate Kobe under a 42-year concession, which commenced April 1, 2018.