Honduras' public-private promotion agency, Coalianza, has plans to re-tender the concession contract for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the new Palmerola airport in Honduras by 2015.

The concession was awarded in January this year to Constructora de Servicios Aeroportuarios Integrados S.A. (SAISA). According to sources, the delay to start the project has been the reason to cancel the concession contract.

Ten companies from different countries had shown interest in the first tender process: Mota Engil (Portugal), Corporación América (Argentina), Agencias Universales S.A. (Chile), CHEC (China), SAISA (Honduras), CONCAY (Colombia), Hidalgo e Hidalgo (Ecuador), SINOHYDRO (China), A-Port Operaciones (Brazil) and COPRECA (Spain). It is expected that the same firms will show interest in the future tender process.

The total project investment is estimated at US$107 million and the concession period would be 30 years.

The Palmerola airport will be located on a former airbase on the major road between Honduras capital and San Pedro de Sula, just 70 km from the capital and a 50 minute journey time, 13 km from the city of Comayagua.

Spanish consultancy firm based in Barcelona, Advanced Logistic Group (ALG), carried out the initial project studies and specifications. The project includes construction of runway shoulders, a new control tower, a 14,00 0m² passenger terminal and a 1500 m² cargo terminal.

The airport is expected to have a maximum capacity of 2.1 million passengers per year in 2045.