Regional Airport Network Group I

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In December 2006, Peru’s transport and communications ministry (MTC) and the consortium GBH-Swissport Aeropuertos signed a 25 year contract for the maintenance, operation and expansion of Aeropuertos del Peru S.A. The project includes nine regional airports: Anta-Huaraz, Cajamarca, Chachapoyas, Iquitos, Tumbes, Pucallpa, Talara, Tarapoto, and Trujillo. The original tender called for three additional airports; Piura, Pisco and Chiclayo; but they have not been granted due to administrative delays. MTC’s stated objectives are to bring Peru’s regional airports up to international standards and exceed the airport standards of other Latin American countries. The first three years of the concession called for projects with an immediate impact, such as upgrading the terminals to clean and safe levels as well as repaving the runways, many of which were in poor condition. The second phase, years 4 to 25, was expected to focus on expanding the existing capacity of the airports. GBH-Swissport Aeropuertos was the only bidder after the Colombian group Aeropuertos Unidos dropped out of the bidding process. Aeropuertos Unidos requested more information and time to make a proposal for the three additional military airports on the grounds that ProInversion did not make available all the information needed. ProInversion refused to postpone the deadline. In August 2006, GBH-Swissport Aerpouertos won the tender because it had already placed its technical and economic offer for all twelve airports. Both consortia had pre-qualified for the bid. The original bid criteria was the amount of PAMO (payments for maintenance and operation) requested by the concessionaire. GBH-Swissport Aeropuertos was expected invest approximately US $220mn during the 25 year concession. The airports have lost money in the past, and government has agreed to co-finance the operation if airport revenue falls below US $ 9.4mn per year. GBH-Swissport Aeropuertos was co-financed by a revenue guarantee of US $9.4mn per year in the form of PAMO (payments for maintenance and operation). PAO, payments for construction, are awarded after the works are complete. Airport revenues were subtracted from government payments. The concession arrangement was expected to save the government approximately US $4mn per year. The concession contract can be renewed provided satisfactory performance of the concessionaire for up to 60 years total. GBH-Swissport Aerpouertos is co-owned by GBH Investments and Ferrovial. GBH Investments is a Peruvian company which and has a majority stake in GBH-Swissport Aeropuertos. Swissport International Ltd, the worlds leading operator of airports, was purchased by Ferrovial in 2005. ProInversion planned the concession of a second group of regional airports in the south of Peru for 2007. Cuzco airport was not included in the group and was expected to have an independent bid.