Year In Review

United States • Year in Review • 2018

United States – Dec 13/18 – Munich Secures Right to Operate Newark Liberty’s New Terminal 1 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners has approved Munich Airport International as the operator for the new USD2.7b Newark Liberty Terminal 1. The new terminal will replace the outdated and capacity-constrained Terminal A facility. Munich will take on Terminal 1 under a 15-year agreement, including operations and maintenance, as well as retail, food and beverage concessions.

United States – Nov 16/18 – LAX Odds-on Favorite for More P3 Action, Following People Mover Award

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), fifth busiest airport in the world, is California’s most lucrative public asset and a prime candidate for further P3 investment. Recycling all or part of LAX could potentially yield the City of Los Angeles tens of billions of dollars. Following the recent LAX People Mover concession award, industry odds are betting on more P3 action at LAX.

United States – Oct 08/18 – Governor Cuomo Continues Drive to Modernize NY-area Airport System

Marking the next stage in Governor Cuomo’s drive to modernize the New York area’s beleaguered airport system, the Governor recently rolled out a $13b plan for modernization of JFK Int’l Airport including $12b in private investor participation. The ambitious program will deliver two new international terminals with centralized ground transportation facilities.

United States – Aug 11/18 – LaGuardia Celebrates Opening of New Fly-over Ramp

LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B recently celebrated the opening of a new flyover ramp with the project’s key champion Governor Andrew Cuomo. Completion of the new flyover ramp is the one first major milestones in the comprehensive USD4.0b transformation of LaGuardia Airport by Gateway Partners, which includes Skanska and Vantage Airport.

United States – Jun 28/18 – St. Louis Airport Clears Important Hurdle in Privatization Quest

Despite previous objections from key decision-makers including Mayor Krewson, an advisory contract has been approved by the City of St. Louis for a group of consultants to further explore the St. Louis Airport privatization initiative. In related news, Ferrovial has reportedly engaged former St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay as an advisor to support its pursuit for the project.

United States – Mar 29/18 – JetBlue Awards Key Contracts to Vantage & Fraport for Upgrade of JFK’s T5

JetBlue, operator and primary user of New York’s JFK Terminal 5 (T5), has given Vantage Airport Group and RXR Realty the nod to lead a comprehensive multibillion-dollar expansion of the facility. Currently T5 operates 29 narrow-body gates, however the works could see the addition of 12 gates for larger gauged aircraft. Earlier in the month, JetBlue also announced plans to bring Fraport USA onboard to manage and develop the T5 commercial program including retail, food and beverage.

United States – Mar 22/18 – New U.S. Infrastructure Plan Ponders Privatization of Reagan & Dulles National Airports

The much-touted Trump infrastructure plan contained an intriguing tidbit vis-à-vis airport privatization. The administration is pondering privatization of the two Washington, D.C. area national airports, Dulles and Reagan. Although details on the plan are still sketchy the stated aim is to avoid “sub-optimal investment decisions” by putting these assets under private control.

United States – Feb 06/18 – St. Louis Privatization Plans Hit Some Turbulence

The City of St. Louis is continuing its pursuit of potential private sector operation and investment in the St. Louis – Lambert International Airport. The City’s recent selection of an advisory firm with ties to a local “mega-donor” to various Missouri election campaigns is raising some ire amongst local politicians and activist groups which could put the City’s plan in peril.

United States – Feb 04/18 – LAX Awards People Mover to Hochtief Consortium

Germany’s Hochtief and a consortium including ACS has been selected to develop and operate the USD$1.95b LAX automated people mover under a 25-year PPP encompassing planning, financing and construction. The above-ground light rail system will link parking lots, rental car locations and local metro stations with the LAX terminals.

United States – Jan 22/18 – Alaska Airlines Bets Big on New Paine Field Terminal

Six months after breaking ground on the new Snohomish County Airport passenger terminal, the private-sector venture received the welcome boost with Alaska Airlines’ recent announcement of its plans to operate 13 daily flights to eight city pairs, upon completion of construction works which are slated to wrap up by year end.