Among the projects presented by the government, the International Airport of Silvio Pettirosi International Airport in Asunción has taken the spotlight.
The National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DINAC, in Spanish), has wasted no time and exposed to tourism entrepreneurs the Government's plan to build a new terminal next to the current facility of the Silvio Pettirossi Airport, which serves the city of Asuncion.
Studies made by DINAC, tending to get the international category C for Paraguay, showed that a new terminal is needed, because the current one is already outdated, and this work would achieve only the provisions of Public-Private Partnerships (APP) Law, boosting private investment not only for the airport facilities, but for the construction of a modern commercial center, taking advantage of the fast growth experienced by Paraguay and the Region.
The projected area is about 30,000 m2 for an estimated 2 million passengers demand. The estimate investment for building a new international airport would be USD 184 million. The bulk of the investment, about USD 144 million, would be made from 2015 and 2018, with the implementation of the modernization projects for Silvio Pettirossi Airport, leaving for the medium and long term the remaining investment.
The Law on Public-Private Partnerships, sets a 30-year period for grants under this modality and this would be the period for which the project will be launched.
It is estimated that by the end of 2014, the feasibility studies will be finished, as mandated by the Act and the intention is that in early 2015, the bidding process starts just to reach mid-August of that year to get the concession company that concludes the work in January 2018.
Prefeasibility studies come from funds provided by the European Union and the International Cooperation Agency of Korea (KOICA) which seek to support and strengthen the process with a Master of Airports and Aviation Master Plan Resource Plan.
For Paraguay, the fact that the new airport has taken the lead is good news. DINAC officials exhibit security in steps being taken towards making public the bidding documents at the beginning of 2015. Most conservatives argue that if airport aims to be inaugurated during this administration that date should be brought forward to December. In any case, the challenge is to not give in to the pressure of urgency resigning clarity in the specifications or exhibiting ambiguities in the distribution of risks; missteps in that instance only mean further delays in the process or increased costs to the state
