Colombia – Oct 20/17 – Mexico’s ASUR Acquires Colombian Airport Assets
The Mexican airport operator Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) has received authorization from the Colombian authorities to acquire majority interest in operators Airplan and Aeropuertos Oriente. The total ticket price is reported to US$262m.
Iran – Oct 15/17 – Iran Seeks Private Sector Capital for Airport Network
After decades of crippling sanctions, Iran’s civil aviation agency is reported to be seeking private sector partnerships to inject much-needed foreign capital into Iran’s network of 27 existing airports. VINCI Airports was the first-mover back in early 2016, signing MOUs with the Iranian state for development and operation of Mashhad and Isfahan airports.
Lithuania – Oct 12/16 – New Lithuanian Gov’t Revisits Airport Privatization
With the Lithuanian airport concession process stalled since last year’s national elections, the new government recently struck a strategic committee to revisit plans for private sector involvement in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga airports. New to this latest effort is the consideration of a new greenfield airport. The committee’s findings are expected in the end of Q1 2018.
Brazil – Oct 10/17 – Russia’s VTB Eyes Viracopos Concession
Following news back in August that the Viracopos concessionaire decided to relinquish its rights back to government, Russia’s VTB Capital is reported to be pursuing an option to assume the concession. Sluggish traffic growth in the wake of Brazil’s protracted political crisis and economic downturn have been cited the root cause of the hand-back.
Bulgaria – Oct 09/17 – Bidder Appeal of Plovdiv Concession Process Rejected
Bulgaria’s Competition watchdog has rejected an appeal by Silk Road Plovdiv Airport, clearing the way for evaluation of the two other bids received by HNA Group which owns Hainan Airlines and the local Consortium Plovdiv Airport. The selection process, launched in late 2016, is structured as 35-year concession.
Namibia – Oct 07/17 – Namibia Seeks World Bank Advice for Airport PPP
The government of Namibia is seeking advice from the World Bank to attract private investors for development and management of the Hosea Kutako International Airport, through a public private partnership (PPP), as the cash-strapped country struggles to raise required capital for airport development and expansion.
United States – Oct 06/17 – St. Louis Considers Airport Privatization Options
St. Louis, Missouri is the latest in a growing list of US airports actively considering privatization as a means to meet growing airport infrastructure demands. The city is still in the early stages of evaluating its options—they’re expected to take at least 18 months to complete the process. An RFP was recently released by the city to select an advisory team to assist in structuring the process and sourcing private investors.
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.
India – Oct 03/17 – Navi-Mumbai Project Forging Ahead at Last
The long-awaited Navi-Mumbai greenfield project is close to securing final environmental approvals, clearing the way for pre-development works by mid-2018. GVK secured the rights to develop and operate the new airport early in the new year which, on final completion, will handle up to 60m passengers/year.
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’s two commercial airports, Zvartnots and Shirak, are operated under a 30-year concession by Armenia Int’l Airports Company (held by Argentina’s Corporación América).