Year In Review

Caribbean • Year in Review • 2018

Barbados – Dec 14/18 – Grantley Adams Int’l Airport Prepped for Concession in the New Year

The government of Barbados is considering the concession of Grantley Adams Int’l Airport (GAIA), which may also include share options for GAIA employees. The IFC, as grantor’s advisor, will guide the bid process and assist in attracting international operators and investors to compete for the project.

Bahamas – Sep 26/18 – The Bahamas Government Approves Comprehensive PPP Policy

The Bahamian cabinet has approved a comprehensive PPP policy covering airports and other key infrastructure throughout the country. The new policy aims to improve the process for evaluation of private sector proposals for major public infrastructure projects and may include consideration of unsolicited proposals if deemed to be in the public interest.

Jamaica – Sep 13/18 – Mexico’s GAP Gets the Nod for 30-year Concession of Kingston’s Norman Manley Airport

Second time was the charm, as the Jamaican government recently announced Mexico’s Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) as provisional Preferred Bidder for the 25+5 year concession of Norman Manley Int’l Airport. The previous tender process, launched in 2016, yielded no offers, however his time around at least three bona fide offers were submitted.

Haiti – Aug 21/18 – Cabinet Seeking Private-sector Participation in New Port-de-Paix Airport

The Haitian Cabinet is reported to be planning the development of a new airport in Port-de-Paix, located in the country’s north-west region under a public-private partnership model. Designed to initially accommodate Category 3 aircraft, the ultimate build-out could see extension of the runway to 4D standards to facilitate medium-haul/charter operations.

St. Lucia – Jul 26/18 – St. Lucia’s New Gov’t Scraps Airport PPP Plans in Favour of Self-Financed Expansion

Electing to scrap its predecessor’s PPP plans, St. Lucia’s new gov’t will be self-financing expansion of the Hewanorra Int’l Airport. The construction works, scheduled to commence this fall, will expand airport capacity to 1.5m passengers/year.

Jamaica – Jul 24/18 – Kingston Airport Concession Garners Three Bids from Pre-qualified Field of Eight

The Development Bank of Jamaica reports that three of eight pre-qualified bid groups have submitted offers for the operation and development of Kingston’s Norman Manley Int’l Airport under a 30-year PPP agreement. The three groups include airport operators Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (Mexico), Corporacion del Este (Dominican Republic) and Egis (France). Selection and announcement of the preferred bidder is expected by the end of August.

Jamaica – May 18/18 – Deadline Extended for Kingston, Jamaica Concession Bid

The bid deadline of submittal of offers for concession of the Norman Manley Int’l Airport in Kingston, Jamaica has been extended to June. The three-month delay will provide needed time for further due diligence and consultations. Players said to be vying for the opportunity include VINCI Airports, Cedicor, Acciona Concessiones, Airports Company South Africa, GMR, Egis, Zurich, Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, Corporacion Aeroportuario Del Este and China Harbour Engineering Company.

St. Lucia – May 08/18 – St. Lucia Airport Upgrade Project on Hold as New Gov’t Ponders Delivery Options

The fate of the US$150m Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for development and expansion of Hewanorra Int’l Airport, pursued under St. Lucia’s previous government with advisory support from the IFC, remains sidelined. The new government, elected to office in 2016, shelved the PPP initiative, looking instead to alternative means/models to implement the project.

Curaçao – Jan 17/18 – Curaçao’s Private Operator Banking on Bright Future 

Curaçao’s international airport is undergoing a dramatic transformation thanks to a USD$48m investment by its private operators. The project, which kicked off in 2014, includes a new arrivals hall and food and beverage space, as well as expansion of the airport boulevard and check-in area. The project is currently on track for completion by the end of the year.

Puerto Rico – Jan 11/18 – Storm Ravaged San Juan Wins Gold at P3 Awards

Shortly after acquiring a 40% stake in Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín Int’l Airport (SJU) from Oaktree Capital last summer, Canada’s PSP Investments and their majority equity partners ASUR of Mexico faced the wrath of Hurricane Maria. In the aftermath of this devastating storm, SJU has been recognized as the best operational project at the recent P3 Awards.

Jamaica – Jan 08/18 – MBJ Shareholders Commit Another USD40m in Capital

As MBJ Airports reaches the mid-point of its 30-year concession for development and operation of the Sangster Int’l Airport in Montego Bay, its private investors have committed an extra USD40m in capital to revamp the check-in hall, immigration and general public areas, which is above and beyond the USD24m currently being invested into the apron, taxiway and runway.