United States – Jan 22/17 – 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.
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.
Serbia – Jan 13/18 – VINCI Clinches Bid for Nikola Tesla Airport
Following a series of fits and starts, Serbia has concluded the RFP process for the Nikola Tesla Int’l Airport (BEG) in Belgrade. VINCI, Europe’s largest construction and concessions company emerged victorious, offering Є501m in concession fees and Є732m of capital investment in exchange of the right to develop and operate the airport for the next 25 years.
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.
India – Jan 10/18 – India’s Maharashtra’s Gov’t Approves Nagpur Airport
The regional Maharashtra government of western India has approved the development of the Nagpur airport as Public Private Partnership (PPP) for a 60-year term. The new greenfield airport will include two runways and passenger terminal, as well as cargo and commercial facilities. The longest runway will be 4,000 meters long to facilitate cargo and military operations.
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.
Maldives – Jan 07/18 – Maldives’ Beleaguered Maafaru Project Reassigned
The Maafaru airport project, hampered by repeated delays, has been handed over to Sun Siyam Resorts (SSR) under a public-private partnership. SSR is owned by national politician Ahmed Siyam. The works, slated for completion within two years, include an 1,800 meter runway and ramp parking for up to six commercial aircraft. The project was initially awarded to Millennium Capital owned by Hamid Ismail, the uncle of now incarcerated former vice president Ahmed Adeeb.
Croatia ZAG – Jan 05/18 – Zagreb Airport Breaks the 3m Passenger Mark
Zagreb Airport (ZAG) broke the 3 million passenger milestone for the first time, continuing its trend of steady traffic growth. The new passenger terminal, opening late last year, has designed capacity of 5 million passengers/year. ZAG is operated under a 30-year concession with a private consortium including AdP, Bouygues, Fond Marguerite, IFC, TAV and Viadukt.
Germany- Jan 03/18 – Brandenburg Nearing End of Long, Painful Journey
The controversy-ridden Brandenburg-Berlin Airport (BER) is now set to open in the fall of 2020, a full nine years after its initially targeted completion date. Beset by a host of planning delays and technical problems since its conception over 25 years ago, BER has become a huge national embarrassment and a cautionary tale of failed project planning and execution.
Argentina – Jan 02/18 – Corporación América Airports Going Public
Argentina’s Corporación América Airports (CAA) is in the midst of issuing an US100m IPO, however pundits suggest it could actually attract up to USD1b in new capital. CAA operates the largest number of airports in the world, totaling 51 including 33 in its native Argentina with the balance located in Brazil, Armenia, Ecuador, Italy, Peru and Uruguay.