News
The Five Groups make shortlist for Airport Redevelopment Project, announces TCIAA
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 3, 2024 – Five groups are vying for the contract to redevelop the Howard Hamilton/Providenciales International Airport and eventually take control of its day-to-day operations. Most are made up of at least one international and one local Turks and Caicos partner making sure that a portion of the revenue will go directly to a local company.
Included in the list are large UK and Canadian companies with portfolios including some of the biggest airports in Northern America and Mexico.
In this public private partnership the Government will retain some of the cash, but how the split will be decided has not been shared with the public. The contractor will control the revenue and turn over an agreed portion to the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) at agreed intervals.
Shortlisted for the contract, which could stretch as far as 30 years are:
- Manchester Airports Holdings Limited, Winward Management Ltd., and BHM Construction International (UK) Ltd.
The Manchester Airport Group is a leading UK airport group that owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports while Winward Management is a UK Hotel management company. BHM Construction International is also listed as a UK construction company specializing in Civil Engineering and Heavy Construction projects worldwide.
- Ferrovial Airports International SE, and Projetech Construction Management and Services Ltd.
Ferrovial Airports International is a UK-based company specializing in transportation infrastructure and describes itself as an expert at developing, managing and operating airports. Projects include Heathrow Airport, Glasgow Airport and others.
The local side of this partnership is carried by Projetech Construction Management & Services Limited. The company describes itself as a large-scale commercial construction, hotel and luxury custom home & villa builder of choice in the Turks and Caicos; having operated for over 25 years and across over 350 projects.
- Aecon International Construction Services Inc., Olympic Construction Ltd., and VINCI Airports SAS.
Aecon is a Canadian company and claims via its website to have successfully executed some of the world’s most
On the other hand Olympic Construction Limited says it has been building in the Turks and Caicos for over 30 years with schools, wellness centres and luxury villas included in its portfolio.
Rounding out this trio is VINCI Airports; a global airport operator with operations in 13 countries at over 70 different airports. VINCI claims to design as well as help to develop airports and deliver an improved passenger experience.
- Regis Holdings S.A.,HAB Limited, doing business as International Limited, and Bouygues Batiment International.
According to the Regis Holdings LinkedIn page, the company is a Global Procurement Company dealing in 3 primary sectors, supplying materials, ready-made buildings and armored vehicles.
The HAB Group is a TCI-based company which has been operating since 1983 in property development. Under its belt are luxury beachfront condominiums and commercial properties including the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Course.
Their partner in the venture, Bouygues Bâtiment International is a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, and claims to have specialised in complex international building projects for over 50 years. The company is present on five continents and in nearly 30 countries. Bouygues says they believe deeply in: “Respect for territories and populations, with strong involvement of our subsidiaries in the social and economic development of the countries in which we build.”
- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico S.A.B. de C.V., and John Redmond Associates Ltd.
Unlike the majority of applicants, Groupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico is a Mexican Group. Currently it operates 12 airports in the Pacific region of Mexico according to its website. Its catalogue includes La Paz, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, serving main tourist destinations.
The group says (much like the intent of the Turks and Caicos government,) the airports were managed by the Mexican Government and they were commissioned as part of a country initiative to privatize and improve the quality and safety of the airport services in the country. At least 85 percent of the company’s shares trade publicly.
Their partners in the venture, John Redmond Associates are a Turks and Caicos Architectural Company providing architectural, design and project management services for over 25 years. ‘Where When How Turks and Caicos’ cites preservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and sensitive environment of this country as an integral component of John Redmond Associates design and planning.
The successful company group will be awarded a contract with the government (Public-Private Partnership) and will undertake the funding of the redevelopment. As for how that will be repaid;
“There are no payments to be made to the private partner,” said Selvyn Hawkins, Executive Chairman of the TCIAA to Magnetic Media in 2023. Instead, the Government will proceed with a revenue share deal with whichever company is chosen. Hawkins broke down what this means for taxpayers.
“The private partner will design, finance, build, manage and maintain the airport. The costs are their own. In return, they will have to pay TCIAA a share of the revenue made during the period of concession.”
The redevelopment must be done within the first five years of the contract.