Ecuador – Sep 30/18 – Quito Airport Embarks on Expansion Plan a Mere 5 Years After Opening
Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Int’l Airport is getting set for a US$90m expansion and improvement program, a mere 5 years after its initial opening, thanks to impressive traffic growth. The capital works program will run into 2020, with US$60m invested in increasing terminal capacity and US$30m earmarked to reconfigure existing facilities.
Angola – Sep 29/18 – Angola’s Government to Seek Private Sector Operator for its New Capital City Airport
Speaking at the Angola-US Business Forum in New York, Angola’s President recently announced his government’s plans to operate the country’s new capital airport, João Lourenço Int’l, under a PPP Build-Operate-Transfer scheme. The greenfield airport, under construction since 2004 by Chinese contractors and beset with delays, is expected to be completed in 2019.
Brazil – Sep 28/18 – Alibaba Sets its Sights on Brazil’s Beleaguered Viracopos Airport Concession
The beleaguered Viracopos Airport (VCP) concession has a new suitor in China’s Alibaba Group. The mega online retailer is reportedly interested in acquiring the concession, as the current operator prepares to surrender its rights in the wake of economic crisis sparked by the “lavo jato” scandal. Alibaba’s seeks to leverage VCP as its Brazilian cargo and logistics hub.
Bahamas – Sep 26/18 – The Bahamas Government Approves Comprehensive PPP Policy
The Bahamian cabinet has approved a comprehensive PPP policy covering airports and other key infrastructure throughout the country. The new policy aims to improve the process for evaluation of private sector proposals for major public infrastructure projects and may include consideration of unsolicited proposals if deemed to be in the public interest.
Philippines – Sep 16/18 – SMC Plans for Bulacan Airport Stymied Amid Gov’t Reservations Over Project Risks
The San Miguel Corp. (SMC) group’s plan for development of Bulacan’s airport is now up in the air as the Finance Minister has questioned the viability of the project. At issue from the government side: lack of guarantees from the SMC mother company to backstop the project, as well as concerns over potential government liabilities/compensation in the event of force majeure events and/or material adverse actions.
Jamaica – Sep 13/18 – Mexico’s GAP Gets the Nod for 30-year Concession of Kingston’s Norman Manley Airport
Second time was the charm, as the Jamaican government recently announced Mexico’s Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) as provisional Preferred Bidder for the 25+5 year concession of Norman Manley Int’l Airport. The previous tender process, launched in 2016, yielded no offers, however his time around at least three bona fide offers were submitted.
Paraguay – Sep 10/18 – Paraguay Kills Tender, Opting Instead to Self-fund & Manage Expansion of Asunción Airport
In the aftermath of the derailed concession process, the Paraguay’s government has announced plans to self-fund and manage expansion and modernization Asunción – Silvio Pettirossi Int’l Airport. An award notice was issued to the bid group of Sacyr-Agunsa, however late last year the country’s Comptroller intervened leading to termination of the tender process.
Peru – Sep 09/18 – Lima Airport Partners Select Contractor Group for Major Jorge Chavez Airport Expansion
FCC Construction, Salini Impregilo and AECOM have been selected execute the Jorge Chavez Int’l Airport (LIM) expansion project in Lima, Peru. The contract, awarded by LIM’s operating company Lima Airport Partners (LAP), comes on the heels of the 7th Addendum to the LAP Concession Agreement which officialized key terms of the concession extension including outstanding land acquisition issues. The current shareholders in LAP include Fraport, IFC and local partner ACC.
Belgium – Sep 06/18 – Private and Public Sector Players Jockey for Stake in Brussel Airport Company
With word that the Macquarie Group minority shares in Brussels Airport will be soon be coming onto the market, key industry players have been jockeying to pursue the opportunity. In an unexpected twist, the Flanders Government Investment Company (FGIC) is also said to be considering acquisition of the Macquarie stake. The Belgian state already holds a 25% share.
India – Sep 05/18 – Local Farmers Turn Up the Heat on Jewar Airport Land Acquisition Drive
Local farmers turn up the heat in Jewar airport land acquisition negotiations. The greenfield project, encompassing some 5,000 hectares, including 1,300 hectares specifically for the airfield, is targeted for completion by 2022-23. A total of over 1,700 landowners have already consented, however the government continues to negotiate well after the August 31 deadline.