Bulgaria – Jun 25/16 – Sofia Privatization Hits the Skids
In early June Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry announced launch of a proposal call to select an airport operator for Sofia airport, under a 35-year concession scheme. Only a few weeks later however, in a sudden twist, the Ministry suspended the process due to a complaint filed with the Commission for Protection of Competition by Kuwaiti and Emirati contractors stemming from pending litigation with the current airport operator.
Paraguay – Jun 15/16 – Paraguay Assessing Asunción Offers
The process of reviewing offers for Paraguay’s Asunción – Silvio Pettirossi Int’l Airport modernization project – the first PPP project to be awarded in the country – is now underway according to government officials. Bid groups include Sacyr-Agunsa, Vinci Airports TOCSA and Aeropuerto Asunción Silvio Pettirossi CEDICOR – Caminos Viales del Uruguay.
Germany – Jun 8/16 – Frankfurt-Hahn Controlling Stake Sold to Chinese
Amid the churn of recent rumours, sale of 82.5% of Germany’s loss-making Frankfurt-Hahn Airport to Chinese construction firm Shanghai Yigian Trading (SYT) Company has been confirmed. The deal is reportedly valued in the “low-double-digit-million-euro range” according to SYT, which plans to develop air cargo traffic at the former U.S. Army base.
Philippines – Jun 06/16 – Mactan Cebu Terminal 2 Construction on Track
Construction of Terminal 2 at Mactan-Cebu Int’l Airport is on schedule for opening in mid-2018, according to the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. The 45,000 square metre facility will increase terminal capacity to 12.5m per year.
Mozambique – Jun 06/16 – Mozambique Set to Privatize Nacala Airport
Mozambique’s new Nacala airport, designed and built by Brazilian contractor Odebrecht Infrastructure, is set for private management under a proposed restructuring of Aeroportos Moçambique (ADM), a public airport management company, as the government aims to improve the airport’s operational efficiency and develop its international route network.
United States – Jun 05/16 – LaGuardia Gateway Partners Reach Contractual Close
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has executed a 35-year lease with LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) for the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport’s Central Terminal B. Along with the lease, LGP has secured financing for the project, setting the stage for start of construction. The LGP consortium includes Vantage Airport Group, Skanska and Meridiam.
South Korea – Jun 04/16 – South Korean Government Sets Sights on Incheon IPO
South Korean is planning to launch several IPOs which could include Incheon Int’l Airport Corporation (IIAC). In 2015, the state-owned company recorded operating profits of US$908.6m. Industry experts anticipate strong interest due, in large part to this strong fiscal performance and completion of the second passenger terminal at Incheon Int’l Airport in 2017.
Nigeria – Jun 03/16 – Nigeria’s PPP Ambitions Face Steep Climb
Critics warn that Nigeria’s PPP ambitions for modernization of its airport infrastructure will not get off the ground until international investors have the confidence that agreements and the rule of law will be respected. Recent history has given investors pause, as several high profile public infrastructure projects were derailed due to broken contract commitments.
United Arab Emirates – Jun 02/16 – PPPs “on the Table” for Al Maktoum
With the next phase of Al Maktoum International Airport expansion scheduled to kick off this summer, sources close to the project have hinted that some of the work could be delivered via a PPP model however, per the country’s PPP law, potential partners will be expected to bring “true partnerships” to the table, not just funding schemes.
Greece – Jun 01/16 – Crete Greenfield Project Offers Imminent
The deadline for binding offers to develop the new Kastelli airport project on Crete may be extended, according to government sources, to give bid groups more time to fine tune their offers. The 37-year greenfield development is budgeted at €900m, which also includes upgrading of the island’s road links to the airport.