Guatemala receives bids for San José airport sewerage, electricity works

Guatemala’s ministry of communications, infrastructure and housing (CIV) has a tender underway for sewerage, electricity and other works underway for Puerto San José cargo airport in Escuintla department. 

Proposals may be submitted until December 22 and details can be accessed via procurement site Guatecompras under ID 18509118. 

Construction started in 2020, aiming to turn Guatemala into a logistics hub. The project is being built on land owned by the country’s air force. 

The plan is to create a special economic area to attract investments. 

Freight is currently being handled by La Aurora international airport, which serves Guatemala City. 

“The main function of [San José airport] is freight management, where we will concentrate all cargo flights, which will not be landing at La Aurora international airport but at the San José airport, where a development area will be developed in a customs-free zone,” deputy state buildings and public works minister Javier Maldonado told local media last year.

The project has been criticized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which asked the government to change plans and consider offering passenger services.

“Separating passenger operations from cargo operations – mainly during a severe economic contraction due to the pandemic that is expected to last for another three-four years – would have significant logistical repercussions that would reduce the efficiency and competitiveness of the sector in the country,” Peter Cerda, IATA’s vice president for the Americas, told news site Estrategia & Negocios in 2021.