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DIGEST FROM ISSUE NR. 1266, PUBLISHED ON 13 APRIL 2026
Airport Development (DEV)
Europe
SPAIN
Spain’s Aena has relaunched a EUR 63.1 million tender for project management and technical assistance to oversee the expansion of Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. The five-year contract will coordinate design, construction and delivery of the airport’s second major expansion, including a new non-Schengen pier with centralised border control, additional contact stands, expanded security areas, redesigned baggage systems and new taxiways.
The tender forms part of a wider EUR 1.5 billion investment programme under Spain’s airport regulatory framework for 2027–2031, aimed at increasing annual capacity to 36 million passengers, with major construction expected to begin from 2028.
Aena had previously cancelled the original tender in late 2025 after legal challenges affecting similar contracts elsewhere in its airport network created procurement uncertainty, prompting the operator to relaunch the process under revised conditions to avoid delays.
ALBANIA
Kastrati Group, the Albanian owner of Tirana International Airport, plans to invest EUR 152 million in Tirana International Airport between 2026 and 2028. The investment follows approximately EUR 110 million (USD 127 million) already committed to airport infrastructure through 2025 since Kastrati acquired the concessionaire in 2020. Planned works include the expansion of the passenger terminal to 40,000 m2 and upgrades to airport security systems.
Tirana International Airport handled 11.6 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 8.7% compared with the previous year, reflecting continued traffic growth requiring additional capacity.
The concession, originally established in 2005 with international investors, remains under private operation, with Kastrati Group assuming full ownership for EUR 71 million in 2020.
ROMANIA
Bucharest’s Băneasa Airport is preparing a modernisation programme, with three consortia submitting bids for a feasibility study. The study, commissioned by Compania Națională Aeroporturi București, the state-owned airport operator, is estimated at RON 7.4 million (USD 1.6 million) and will be delivered over eight months. It will support a long-term development strategy for 2025–2035, following government approval of a national airport infrastructure programme. Bidders include consortia led by Quadratum Architecture, Egis Romania and Urban Scope, alongside Haskoning Nederland/NACO.
Planned developments include construction of a new passenger terminal with a minimum capacity of 800 passengers per peak hour, expansion of the existing terminal by approximately 61,500 m², and development of cargo facilities. Airside works include runway modernisation and expansion from 3,200 to 3,500 metres, upgrades to taxiways and aprons, and improvements to lighting systems, alongside reconfiguration of aircraft parking areas to accommodate ICAO Code D aircraft.
Bucharest’s Băneasa Airport is located close to the city centre and serves both commercial and general aviation, with maintenance facilities and aircraft parking capacity already in place. Passenger traffic increased from around 10,000 in 2022 to an estimated 400,000 in 2025, and the current terminal capacity of 600 passengers per peak hour is expected to be reached from 2026.
Russia & C.I.S.
RUSSIA
Ulan-Ude’s Baikal Airport (Buryatia) will be upgraded under a new agreement between the regional government and Novaport Holding, an airport infrastructure investor. The agreement includes modernisation of apron infrastructure, increased airport capacity and the development of additional domestic and international routes. It also covers measures to support passenger traffic growth and tourism development in the region.
A new passenger terminal opened in autumn 2024 with an area of more than 6,600 m² and a capacity of 400 passengers per hour, equipped with two boarding bridges. The airport has also developed a new runway capable of handling all aircraft types.
The terminal project was delivered by Novaport with an investment of RUB 3.65 billion (USD 39.0 million), including state-backed financing. A recent international service between Tashkent and Ulan-Ude has commenced operations.
North America
CANADA
Nanaimo Airport (British Columbia) is planning a long-term expansion programme including a terminal redevelopment valued at approximately USD 150 million (CAD 200 million). The plans include increasing check-in counters from six to 18, expanding departure lounges, integrating baggage handling facilities and adding customs infrastructure to support potential international services, with passenger volumes targeted to reach 2 million annually. The airport operates on 211 hectares (522 acres) of land owned by the airport commission and currently handles domestic services to destinations including Vancouver, Kelowna and Calgary.
Passenger traffic reached 361,490 in 2025, recovering from pandemic lows, while the airport contributes approximately USD 23 million (CAD 31 million) annually to the regional economy and supports 268 jobs.
Additional priorities include achieving net zero emissions by 2030, improving airfield systems to reduce weather-related disruptions, and enhancing landside access, including a proposed upgraded road intersection connecting the airport to the Trans-Canada Highway.
UNITED STATES
Anchorage (Alaska) is planning phased expansion of passenger, cargo and airfield infrastructure under its updated airport master plan. The new Master Plan for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport outlines a demand-driven development programme through 2042, focused on increasing capacity, improving operational efficiency and supporting long-term growth in both cargo and passenger traffic. Airside developments include taxiway and runway upgrades to meet Federal Aviation Administration standards, alongside safeguarding land for a potential future fourth runway to accommodate long-term demand growth.
Cargo infrastructure forms a central component of the plan, with expansion of aircraft parking areas, new cargo aprons and additional processing facilities across the North, South and West Airpark areas. The programme also supports tenant-led cargo facility development and increased warehousing capacity to address existing congestion and forecast growth in air freight volumes.
Passenger terminal development is structured in phases, beginning with expansion of the South Terminal concourses and additional gates, followed by a long-term integration of the South and North Terminals through an extended concourse. This will create a unified terminal complex with enhanced security screening, baggage handling and passenger circulation.
Landside improvements include expansion of on-airport parking capacity, reconfiguration of access roads and potential future upgrades to terminal road circulation to improve traffic flow. Support infrastructure plans include new general aviation development areas, expansion and modernisation of aircraft rescue and fire fighting facilities, and additional space for airport operations and services.
The programme is designed as a flexible, phased strategy aligned with traffic growth, enabling the airport to expand capacity progressively while maintaining operational performance.
Hawaii’s Kona International Airport (Hawaii) is preparing a long-term master plan to 2044, including a USD 137 million terminal upgrade and potential airside expansion. The airport currently operates a single 3,353 metre (11,000 feet) runway and handled 4.1 million passengers in 2025. Forecasts indicate an additional 1 million arriving and 1 million departing passengers by 2044, placing pressure on existing facilities.
Proposed developments include expanded holdrooms, additional restrooms and improved passenger circulation within the open-air terminal, alongside options such as a second runway, an on-site hotel, expanded helicopter operations and a firefighter training facility. The airport’s open-air design is expected to be retained.
The master planning process began in January 2025, with public consultations continuing until October 2026 and finalisation expected in November 2026. The plan will prioritise accommodating future demand while addressing operational constraints within existing infrastructure.
Latin America & The Caribbean
JAMAICA
Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport is preparing a long-term development blueprint as part of ongoing and planned expansion of its infrastructure. The Airports Authority of Jamaica, the state-owned airport operator, has launched a procurement process to appoint a consultant to develop a master plan for the airport. The study will define future infrastructure requirements and guide expansion projects, with completion scheduled for 20 August 2027 following a tender process closing on 20 May 2026.
The master plan will support a pipeline of investments already underway and planned, including more than USD 180 million in upgrades between 2026 and 2030 and a proposed new passenger terminal estimated at USD 750 million. The new terminal is intended to replace the existing facility and increase capacity to approximately 15 million passengers annually, compared with around 5 million currently, with existing facilities expected to support operations until around 2034.
Sangster International Airport is located in Montego Bay on Jamaica’s north coast and serves as the country’s main international gateway, handling predominantly tourism-related traffic. The airport is operated by MBJ Airports Limited, a subsidiary of Mexico-based Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, under a concession agreement due to expire in March 2034, with future arrangements under review. The documents can be accessed through Jamaica’s e-tendering system here.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic government has approved plans for Montecristi International Airport as a privately developed commercial aviation facility. Under Decree 146-26, signed on 29 March 2026 by President Luis Abinader, the project is authorised as an international airport with full immigration, customs, health and security control capabilities. The development is being promoted by Aeropuerto Internacional de Montecristi AIMC, S.A., which previously submitted its proposal to the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation.
The approval is conditional and does not replace required regulatory processes. The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation will define operating conditions and oversee construction and operations, while permits, environmental approvals and safety certifications must be obtained from relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Public Works.
The project forms part of broader plans to expand aviation infrastructure in Montecristi, a designated tourism and development zone, with contracts for construction and operation to be managed by the Ministry of Public Works on behalf of the state.
CHILE
Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is entering a new planning phase as Chile prepares to relaunch a tender for expansion studies, following the cancellation of an earlier procurement. The Ministry of Public Works will commission studies to define a reference design for a future expansion stage, building on a master plan completed between 2021 and 2023 that identified long-term capacity requirements through to 2060. The revised tender, expected to be launched during the current semester and awarded by the end of 2026, will also establish an international consultant register to attract foreign consortia and strengthen competition.
The planned expansion aims to increase capacity from 30 million to 84 million passengers annually, including a third terminal and an additional runway. Development planning will be aligned with the existing concession, which runs until 2038.
The project forms part of Chile’s wider USD 3.3 billion airport modernisation programme, which continues largely unchanged under the current government despite a review of selected tenders. Separately, a new terminal at Punta Arenas Airport is scheduled to open in July 2026, with full completion of that upgrade expected in 2027.
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Africa
ETHIOPIA
Addis Ababa’s greenfield Bishoftu International Airport project has advanced to the next procurement stage, with Ethiopian Airlines Group shortlisting a wide range of international contractors for major EPC-F works packages. EPC-F refers to Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing, meaning contractors are responsible not only for design and construction, but also for arranging project financing.
The shortlisted firms span Europe, Asia and the Middle East and include major contractors such as VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Samsung C&T, Webuild, China Communications Construction Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Beijing Urban Construction Group and Urbacon Trading & Contracting, alongside joint ventures involving IC İçtaş, Kalyon İnşaat, Mota-Engil and Afcons Infrastructure.
These companies have been shortlisted across four main packages covering terminal facilities, support buildings, airfield infrastructure and external access links.
The project will deliver a new large-scale airport with passenger terminal infrastructure, airside systems and surface connectivity, forming part of Ethiopia’s long-term aviation expansion strategy.
Shortlisted bidders will now proceed to the next tender phase as the project moves closer to construction.
GHANA
Ghana Airports Company Limited, the state-owned airport operator, is planning infrastructure expansion at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport to support transit passenger growth. The programme will be funded through an Airport Infrastructure Development Charge introduced on 1 April 2026, expected to generate approximately USD 800 million over 10 years. Charges are set at USD 50 for international passengers, USD 30 for other African routes, and USD 15 for ECOWAS travellers.
Planned works include a seven-storey car park with 2,000 spaces, a 4,000 m2 retail complex, a sky-view lounge, and a two-tier airport hotel with 370 rooms. Additional facilities include a conference centre and business amenities, with construction of the car park scheduled to begin in mid-2026.
NIGERIA
Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport faces calls from aviation stakeholders for the expansion of the apron and aircraft parking capacity to address operational constraints. The Aviation Safety Rounds Table Initiative, an industry body, stated that limited apron space is affecting aircraft movement, turnaround times and safety, particularly for wide-body operations. Stakeholders recommended relocating two hangars to enable additional parking stands and reduce congestion.
Additional proposals include development of transit facilities to support hub operations, installation of multiple boarding bridges, and upgrades to airfield lighting on Runways 18L/36R and taxiways to Category II LED standards. The group also called for advanced surface movement control systems, improved cargo terminals with modern logistics and cold-chain facilities, and stronger airline development.
Further recommendations include positioning Nigeria as a maintenance, repair and overhaul hub and exploring a monorail system to improve terminal connectivity, alongside broader stakeholder involvement in ongoing airport modernisation plans.
Middle east
SAUDI ARABIA
Makkah has received government approval for the development of a new USD 5.3 billion airport, with planning and investment studies completed but no construction timeline announced. The project is being overseen by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, a government body responsible for urban development in the city, and will be delivered through private sector partnerships. The airport remains in an early planning phase, with feasibility studies completed and strategic parameters defined, while maintaining coordination with Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, currently the main gateway located approximately 80–90 km from Makkah.
The airport forms part of broader transport developments, including a proposed metro system with completed feasibility studies and preliminary designs. Additional mobility measures include expansion of the city’s bus network, taxi services and smart systems managing crowd movement around key religious sites.
Infrastructure upgrades across Makkah include road expansions, improvements at pilgrimage locations such as Arafat and Mina, and new facilities including residential towers and a 200-bed hospital, alongside environmental measures such as shaded walkways and water management systems.
Asia Pacific
VIETNAM
Hanoi has approved a long-term master plan including a proposed second international airport in the southern part of the city. The draft plan identifies locations such as Ung Hoa and Phu Xuyen, with the airport designed under an airport city model and expected to handle 30–50 million passengers annually and up to one million tonnes of cargo. The development forms part of wider urban planning that includes new growth areas, expanded public transport systems and improved regional connectivity.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has stated that the airport’s location and scale should not yet be finalised, recommending further study after 2030 due to airspace, terrain and technological considerations. The ministry also highlighted that Gia Binh International Airport, a 1,960-hectare dual-use facility under construction since 19 August 2025 and planned to reach 50 million passengers annually by 2050, will contribute to relieving pressure on Hanoi’s existing airport system.
The wider northern airport system also includes Cat Bi Airport, Van Don Airport, Tho Xuan Airport and Vinh Airport, many of which operate below capacity, raising questions over the need for an additional hub. Alternative measures under consideration include reopening Gia Lam Airport, located 8 km from Hanoi’s city centre, for short-haul and regional flights using smaller aircraft to redistribute traffic from Noi Bai without constructing a new airport.
JAPAN
Japan has added 17 airports and ports across eight prefectures to its designated dual-use infrastructure programme, with associated upgrades planned. The government has expanded the list of “specified use” facilities to support operations by the Japan Self-Defence Forces and the Japan Coast Guard during emergencies, bringing the total to 57 sites nationwide, including 24 airports and 33 ports. Newly added airports include New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido, Japan), Chubu Centrair International Airport (Aichi, Japan), Takamatsu Airport (Kagawa, Japan), Matsuyama Airport (Ehime, Japan) and Kochi Airport (Kochi, Japan), alongside multiple regional airports in Hokkaido.
Planned developments at designated airports include runway extensions and apron expansion to accommodate military aircraft such as fighter jets and transport aircraft. At ports, works will include seabed dredging and quay upgrades to allow access for naval vessels, including transport and escort ships.
The programme also includes improvements to surrounding road infrastructure to facilitate the movement of personnel and equipment. Upgrades will continue at previously designated sites, including those in Hokkaido, Okinawa and parts of Kyushu.
FIJI
Nadi’s Nadi International Airport is planning a feasibility study for a new cross runway due to operational and infrastructure constraints. The existing Runway 09/27, measuring 2,134 metres by 45 metres, limits future expansion and operates under non-compliant strip conditions, restricting upgrades and affecting adjacent terminal development. Operational constraints also limit aircraft handling, with Code E aircraft required to use the secondary Runway 02/20, while parts of the airfield cannot accommodate larger aircraft due to obstacle limitation surfaces. The absence of parallel taxiways further reduces airfield capacity.
Fiji Airports, the state-owned airport operator, is proposing the cross runway as a potential long-term solution to support growth. The project is described as the largest under consideration by the operator, with implications for national aviation capacity.
The feasibility study will assess operational, technical, environmental and economic factors, alongside alternative options such as terminal development in the Namaka area and the potential use of emerging technologies to defer runway expansion.
Consultant & Contractors (CON)
Wroclaw Airport (Poland) has awarded a contract to a consortium of AKE Studio and WLC Inżynierowie to design the expansion of its passenger terminal. The scope includes preparation of the architectural and functional concept, full design documentation, administrative approvals and design supervision. Planned works cover extension of the terminal to the east and west, construction of a departures pier, a multi-storey car park for around 1,600 vehicles, ground handling infrastructure and reconfiguration of the airport road system. The expanded terminal is expected to reach a capacity of approximately 10 million passengers annually and to double its current floor area.
The contract forms part of a wider investment programme valued at more than PLN 1 billion (USD 247 million), which also includes airside works such as new taxiways, an apron for 14 aircraft and a rapid-exit taxiway. The design consortium has 18 months to complete the project documentation and approvals.
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (California, United States) will receive its first commercial passenger terminal under a design contract awarded to JZMK Partners by Coachella Airports, LLC. The planned facility will include four gates, including one international gate, and is intended to accommodate regional, national and international passenger services. The terminal will serve the Coachella Valley, providing closer access to regional destinations and reducing travel distances for passengers.
The design incorporates Mid-Century Modern architectural elements, with features such as large overhangs, glass façades for natural light, and layouts emphasising indoor-outdoor connectivity. The project will also include desert landscaping with native vegetation, shade structures and water-efficient irrigation systems.
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is located in Thermal in Riverside County and currently functions primarily as a general aviation airport serving private, corporate and seasonal traffic linked to major regional events. The airport features a main runway measuring approximately 2,591 m (8,500 ft) and supports a range of business aviation operations, with facilities including aircraft parking, hangars and support services. Project timelines and construction schedule details have not been disclosed.
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