Under the terms of the agreement between OPAIN and Airis, Airis will become the exclusive developer and property manager of cargo terminals during the term of the 20-year Concession. Included in Airis' scope of work is the renovation of the existing international cargo terminal as well as the new construction of at least 40,000m2 of cargo warehouse, refrigerated perishables center, and supporting offices, as stipulated in the terms of Concession and as originally located in the Aerocivil Master Plan. The parties estimate that the total project cost will exceed $100 million USD and will break ground on March 20, 2007. The construction will end in 2009, after which Colombia and the Region will have the available capacity needed to expand the local cargo market, attract new international business, and leverage the benefits of the anticipated free trade agreements now being ratified.
'We are fortunate to have Airis' twenty years of experience in cargo development working for us in the construction of this new cargo terminal at Eldorado Airport. We have all the utmost confidence that the company will produce the same excellent results in Colombia as in JFK, Newark, Miami International and Swedish airports,' said OPAIN General Manager Jorge Chaves Dominguez. 'The Colombian cargo market will be quite pleased by the world-class project Airis will develop. In our opinion, no other group matches its design capabilities and cargo experience. Airis is the best partner to work with us on the transformation of the airport, and therefore, the best ally to Colombia in the promotion our air trade.'
The awarding of the cargo contract to Airis concludes a six-month selection process during which OPAIN conducted an international bid process in which six pre-qualified cargo facility developers participated with three making the 'short list'. 'With this contract award OPAIN can assure Colombia and Bogot' that world class infrastructure required for modern and efficient cargo services will be constructed,' commented Mr. Chaves. 'It is important for OPAIN to be linked to a company like Airis since this Concession ultimately will define Eldorado Airport as the main passenger and air cargo hub for the region for the next 20 years.'
In accordance with the Concession Contract, Airis will ensure that both domestic and international cargo operations remain uninterrupted during construction. At the same time, Airis will offer space to existing cargo tenants that need to expand and modernize and to new entrants that express interest in providing altogether new services at Eldorado Airport.
'Colombia is the ideal country for the development of a great cargo hub in the region, thanks to its geographical proximity to major markets in North, Central, and South America and to its existing connections to global business centers. Our mutual and primary goal is to elevate the level and quality of service currently offered at the airport and to expand the reach of the Bogot' marketplace by bringing in international operators to work in concert with the highly-specialized local handlers and perishable exporters,' commented Ron Factor, president and founder of Airis. 'We believe that there is a great opportunity to expand existing synergies and to build new trade networks between local and international markets.' Airis and OPAIN anticipate that the new facilities will encourage new passenger and cargo routes to Europe and Asia.
According to Airis, the delivery of the cargo project is the first step to improving the overall supply chain as it links to the Eldorado Airport. In addition to the facility, Airis plans to offer IT solutions for the management of cargo shipments and to offer consolidated service
