The government of Saint Lucia together with the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) have announced plans to launch a tender process for a PPP scheme for the Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) by early 2015.

According to sources, the government plans to sign of the contract with the winning bidder by August 2015.

In May 2014 the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, was selected by the SLASPA as the lead advisor to structure and implement the tender process for the project. At that time Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister, stated:

"The redevelopment of the Hewanorra International Airport will support Saint Lucia's long-term economic and social development. With support from IFC, we are engaging in a transparent process to ensure the airport is redeveloped to international standards, attracts the best airport management, and creates opportunities for the people of Saint Lucia."

HIA is the main gateway to Saint Lucia and sees approximately 660,000 passengers each year. However, it faces severe congestion in its terminal and the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded and boarded. This significantly limits its ability to support current passenger traffic and future growth in traffic, which is expected to increase by 5.2% compounded annual growth rate over the next 20 years.

In late January 2014, the IFC launched tenders to seek a technical consultant, a legal consultant and an auditor for the transaction, which is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD).

IFC is also advising the Government of Jamaica for the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) concession.

Other airport concessions in tender stage in the Americas are:

• Barranquilla International Airport concession (Colombia)
• Matecaña airport new terminal PPP project (Colombia)
• Concession for extension and operation of Santiago International airport (Arturo Merino Benítez) (Chile)