Asian operators eye Montenegro's airports
Operators from Asia have expressed the greatest interest in the upcoming concession of Montenegro's two airports - Podgorica and Tivat. Companies from India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey are expected to bid for the concession, although interest has also been shown from Germany and Finland. The Montenegrin government is expected to adopt a concession act in the coming weeks, paving the way for the process to begin. "There is significant interest for our two airports. We are in a position to select a quality operator, a company or consortium that will develop both airports in line with demands of the tourism sector and the public", Montenegro's Minister for Transportation and Maritime Affairs, Osman Nurković, said.
The two airports will be offered for a concession ranging between 25 and thirty years. The future concessionaire will be obligated to make a minimum one-off payment of 100 million euros to the Montenegrin government and will be required to invest at least 85 million euros into the two airports, which are being offered to investors as part of a single package. The yearly concession fee will total 10% of gross annual income. "We expect to receive excellent offers. This way we can make a great deal for the airports and the state. The concession is vital in order for Tivat Airport to follow through with its plans to build a new passenger terminal, extend its runway and overhaul its taxiways", the Minister noted.
Asian operators have previously shown interest in other airports in the former Yugoslavia as well. Incheon International Airport Corporation from South Korea submitted bids for both Zagreb and Belgrade airports, while India's GMR Infrastructure Limited was among the top five bidders at Nikola Tesla Airport. It is also expected for Dubai Airports Company to submit a bid for Podgorica and Tivat. Porto Montenegro, a luxury yacht marina complex near Tivat Airport is owned by the state-run Investment Corporation of Dubai, which also owns a number of companies in the transportation sector, including Dubai Airport, Emirates and Flydubai. On the other hand, Turkey's TAV Airports Holding, which has become a global brand in airport construction projects and operations, has already held talks with Mr Nurković on several occasion concerning the concession.
0 Response to "Asian operators eye Montenegro's airports"
Post a Comment