Argentina's Corporación América eyes US$9.1bn in airport projects in Brazil

Argentine holding group Corporación América is eyeing airport projects throughout Brazil worth a total 18.6bn reais (US$9.07bn), the group's airport planning manager, Gerardo Pucciarello, told BNamericas. "Among them are the international airport concessions of Galeão [also known as Tom Jobim], in Rio de Janeiro city, and Confins [also known as Tancredo Neves], near Minas Gerais state capital Belo Horizonte," Pucciarello said, adding, "We are also keeping an eye on the federal government's 270 regional airport program." While the Galeão concession is estimated at 6.6bn reais, the Confins concession is expected to be 4.8bn reais. Works on the regional airport program total some 7.2bn reais. When asked about which of the two international airport concessions look more appealing, the executive answered both, with no further comment. Company president Eduardo Eurnekian, however, did say that the group is in advanced talks with a new Brazilian partner for the two projects, according to a report by news service Terra networks. These new tenders are a little more demanding than previous airport concessions, but we intend to adapt to the new requirements and participate in both, Eurnekian said. Tenders for the international airports are schedule to be launched in Augustand bidding competitions are set for September. Tenders for expansion projects at the 270 regional airports should start in 2014. Corporación América is not a newcomer to Brazil as it was awarded the country's first airport concession contract, together with Brazilian company Infravix, through their Inframérica consortium. Awarded in 2011, it involves the operation of São Gonçalo do Amarante international airport in Rio Grande do Norte state capital Natal. The consortium also won another concession in 2012 for the Brasília international airport, also known as the Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek airport.