Turkey – Dec 01/16 – Turkey Plans Seven New Airports
Supporting the Turkish government’s “One Airport Every 100 Kilometers” initiative, Ankara recently announced plans to construct seven new airports across the country, including Rize-Artvin, Niğde-Aksaray, Karaman, İzmir, Yozgat Bayburt-Gümüşhane (Salyazı) and western Antalya. In parallel, the government set the groundwork for PPP alternative finance models.
Russia – Dec 04/16 – Vladivostok Shares to be Traded
An investor group comprised of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Russia’s Basic Element and Changi Airports have reached an agreement for acquisition of shares in Vladivostok Airport from Sheremetyevo Airport. Subject to regulatory and corporate approvals, the group will control 100% of the terminal operating company and 52.16% airport operating company.
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.
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.
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.
Iran – Mar 14/17 – Iran Invites Private Sector Investment in Airports
After decades of crippling sanctions, Iran is turning to private sector investment to bankroll the planned USD$3b overhaul of its national system of 27 airport. Under the ambitious plan, Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Tabriz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Kerman and Shiraz airports have been flagged for foreign investment. VINCI Airports is leading the charge, having already signed MOUs for Mashhad and Isfahan which, if sealed, will see two new terminals developed at Mashhad, Iran’s secondary gateway.
Saudi Arabia – Apr 04/17 – TAV Secures 30-year Deal for Saudi’s Yanbu Airport
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently announced the signing of a 30-year deal with TAV Airports and Saudi-based Al-Rajhi to develop and operate a new terminal at Yanbu airport under a PPP framework. Initially handling 1.2m passengers per year, capacity will be expanded to 3.0m passengers annually on completion of the new terminal works.
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.
Saudi Arabia – Jul 05/17 – Saudi Privatization Program in High Gear
The Saudi government has kicked its Vision 2030 privatization strategy into high gear with its recent announcements of five airport concessions which could set the stage for a wave of infrastructure privatizations across the region. The rights for Jeddah were awarded to Incheon, with Ta’if going to Munich, and TAV securing Qassem, Hail and Yanbu.
Russia – Aug 07/17 – Russia’s Remote Yamal Airport Seeks Private Investors
The Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District has announced plans to seek bids for concession and modernization of the airport located in Russia’s remote Arctic. Private sector investors will be invited to bid for the right to operate the airport and develop a new terminal, complete with passenger boarding bridges, and upgrade the runway.
Armenia – Oct 01/17 – Corporación América Invests in Armenian Airport Asset
The Shirak airport in Armenia is set to undergo USD2m in capital upgrades including development of an equipment warehouse, as well as mechanical equipment and other terminal upgrades. Armenia two commercial airports, Zvartnots and Shirak, are operated under a 30-year concession by Armenia’s Int’l Airports Company (held by Argentina’s Corporación América).
Saudi Arabia – Oct 04/17 – TAV Plans Sizable Investment for Saudi Concessions
TAV is reported to be planning over USD100m of new investment in the Saudi airports of Yanbu, Qassim and Hail, following award of concessions from the Saudi state earlier in the year. TAV is targeting completion of the works by early 2020, increasing total capacity from 3.6mppa to 11.5mppa. Transfer of operations for the three airports is anticipated by year end.
Turkey – Nov 17/17 – Sabiha Gökçen Down-plays Competition Threat
Malaysia Airports Holdings, the sole shareholder of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport’s operating company, is down-playing potential competition impacts from the new Istanbul airport. The initial phase of Istanbul’s third airport is scheduled to open in October 2018 – on full build-out in 2028, it is designed to handle over 150m pax/year.
Bangladesh – Dec 02/17 – AviAlliance Eyes Airport Development in Bangladesh
Germany’s AviAlliance is reported to be pursuing a formation of a partnership with Bangladesh for the development of Bangabandhu International Airport, with the aim of positioning Bangladesh as an aviation hub linking global markets, east and west. Three potential sites are currently under consideration in the districts of Madaripur, Munshiganj and Dhaka.
Jordan – Dec 26/17 – AdP to Assume Control of Queen Alia Concession
AdP is poised to take a majority stake in Airport International Group, the project company with rights for development and operation of Jordan’s Queen Alia Int’l Airport. The deal, first announced at GAD World – Paris in November, is reported to be worth US$267m. Co-investors Meridiam, ASMA Capital Partners and current Jordanian shareholder Edgo will hold the minority.