Brazil: Congonhas-São Paulo Airport and Rio de Janeiro Airport RJ Santos Dumont
The Brazilian government is advancing with plans to offer concessions to operate two of the country’s largest airports, expecting to attract new international players. Civil aviation agency, ANAC, approved the draft of the notice for the auction of 16 airport concessions expected to generate investment of $1.67 billion during the 30-year contract. The concessions will be offered in three blocks, combining busy and less busy terminals. Airports offered include Congonhas in São Paulo and Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second and third busiest domestic airports.
Panama: Tocumen International Airport
Located in Central America, Panama has over 30 airports. The main gateways into the country include Tocumen International Airport (AITSA), which is the hub for Copa Airlines – the national flag carrier of Panama. On May 2021, the management of AITSA presented a bill before the cabinet arguing that a lack of liquidity prevented them from carrying out modernization programs. Personnel, operations, and maintenance costs, coupled with investment in fire trucks, X-ray machinery, security, and other equipment has left the airport with cash flow issues, according to management. The bill proposes to invite in concessionaires to manage them, in order to attract the tourists that the region merits, along with various other infrastructure.
Jamaica: Montego Bay Jamaica – Sangster International Airport
On April 12, 2003, the Government of Jamaica handed over control of the Montego Bay Jamaica – Sangster International Airport (MBJ), to two key principals: Abertis Infraestructuras and Vantage Airport Group. The concessionaires report that ``they meet all concession agreement requirements with the government including a significant annual concession fee payable to Jamaica annually.`` Having the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a strategic investor demonstrates the continued bankability of MBJ, and indicates continued confidence in the provision of private infrastructure services in Jamaica. Passenger numbers at MBJ have continued to grow, even throughout the economic adversity from 2010-2015, with 2013 showing a 3.15% growth over 2012, with a total of 3.49 million passengers. The commercial program has also grown in gross revenues by 199% to almost $32 million per year. In 2015, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) completed the acquisition of the airport from Abertis, and joined Vantage as MBJ’s shareholders.