Chocks away for airport tenders in CentAm, Caribbean

Authorities in Nicaragua and the Bahamas are rolling out tender processes to modernize their airport infrastructure. 

While the tender in the Caribbean country is for a public-private partnership to operate and update seven airports, Nicaragua will receive financing from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (Cabei) to make improvements to two airports in the South Caribbean Coast region.

BNamericas takes a look at the bidding processes. 

South Caribbean Coast airport improvements – Nicaragua

Nicaraguan state airport operator Empresa Administradora de Aeropuertos Internacionales (EAAI) will receive bids by August 12 to carry out improvements at two airports in the country’s South Caribbean Coast region. 

As mentioned above, financing will come from Cabei, but no estimated investment amount has yet been outlined. 

The tender call does not mention the airports that will be included in the general modernization plan, but EAAI operates five terminals in the country, two of which are in the South Caribbean Coast region. 

Of the more than 70 questions the operator answered to interested participants on June 21, the terminal that stands out is Corn Island international airport. 

In its confirmation of the financing, Cabei also said the project involves two airports. 

More specific details about the project have not been made public, as interested participants were given the preliminary bases and the contract requirements via email. 

EAAI is yet to reveal any details about the interested firms. 

Out Islands airport upgrades – The Bahamas

Meanwhile, a bigger concession program is being prepared by Bahaman authorities to award a 30-year concession to operate and improve seven existing airports in the Out Islands.

Although the tender call has not yet been made, the tourism and aviation ministry (MOTA) said it expects to launch the bidding process this year and award the contract by 1Q22.

To draft the tender specifications and requirements, the ministry is currently using the feedback it received from interested participants during a web forum on June 28.

Among the attendees were airport operators, service providers, lenders, construction companies and facility managers, according to MOTA. 

The government previously stated that it will seek a qualified partner to rebuild its airport infrastructure through a public-private contract. 

“Under this PPP program, the airport facilities are not being sold. The government is seeking experienced, qualified private partners to update, operate and improve the portfolio of airports to drive traffic and revenue growth and further enhance quality of service,” the ministry said in a statement. 

The airports included in the PPP airport program are: 

• Grand Bahama International Airport, Freeport, Grand Bahama;
• Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, Marsh Harbour, Abaco;
• Exuma International Airport, Exuma, Great Exuma;
• North Eleuthera International Airport, Eleuthera;
• Long Island International Airport, Deadman’s Cay, Long Island;
• Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands; and
• San Salvador International Airports, San Salvador Island.