Global Market Updates

Airport Operators & Concessions • Global Market Update • June 2015

United States - May 28/15 - Skanska-Vantage Consortium Gets Nod for LGA

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey announced that the LaGuardia Gateway Partners consortium, including Swedish construction company Skanska and Canadian airport operator Vantage Airport Group, have been selected to finance, build and operate a new US$3.6 billion terminal at LGA, replacing the airport’s 50-year-old central terminal.

Brazil - May 27/15 - Next Round of Brazilian Concessions in the Works

Launch of the next round of Brazilian privatizations is anticipated in June. Industry chatter suggests Manaus, Porto Alegre, and Salvador may be on the list, as well as Florianopolis and Fortaleza, and perhaps a few surprises. The privatization process had been sidelined in the wake of the PetroBras corruption scandal, but appears to be back on track.

Brazil - May 20/15 - Corporación America to Consolidate NAT Shares

Engevix announced plans to sells its 50% shares in Natal (NAT) airport to fellow Inframérica investor Corporación America (CA), making CA the sole shareholder in the NAT concession company. The Brazilian competition authority has authorized the ENGEVIX sale.  ENGEVIX will retain shares in BSB airport.

Vietnam - May 12/15 - Vietnam to Put 35% of Airport Operator on Market

Vietnam’s transport ministry plans to put 25 percent of its shares in the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) up for sale through an initial public offering. The ministry also plans to put another 10 percent of AVC shares on the market following the IPO, however timing of this second stage has not yet been announced.

St. Lucia - May 10/15 - St. Lucia’s Main Gateway to be Privately Managed

St Lucia’s Hewanorra Int’l Airport (UVF) is slated for redevelopment and private management. St. Lucia’s government recently introduced a bill that will enable the airport to be run by an “independent entity” through a PPP, following a competitive bidding process. The St. Lucia government is being assisted by the International Finance Corporation.

Jamaica - May 02/15 - Jamaica Announces the NMIA Short-list

The Jamaican government published the shortlist for the Norman Manley Int’l Airport (NMIA) concession. The pre-qualified bidders include: Cedicor (Aeropuertos Argentina 2000); Zurich Airport Int’l and A-Port Chile; Korea Airport Corporation Latin America and GK Capital Management Ltd.; China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.; and DAA Int’l Ltd. and Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este (Punta Cana Int’l Airport), Jamaica Producers Group Ltd and GBG Energy.

Japan - May 01/15 - Privatization of Kansai Airport Faces Tough Hurdles 

More than 20 years after building an artificial island off Osaka for the new Kansai Int’l Airport (KIX), the Japanese gov’t has launched a bidding process for privatization of KIX and neighboring Itami Airport (ITM). The project faces significant hurdles, as the government stands firm on its USD$18-billion price tag. Adding to the challenge, the KIX runway is literally sinking, with no clear technical solution and costing in sight. The bid deadline was extended into May … announcement pending.