SANT PERE SULA
Business sectors are opposed to the Government grant the management of the cargo services of the Ramón Villeda Morales airport in the company Palmerola International Airport SA (PIA), as requested through communications with Insep authorities.
TOO also requests an extension of the term of administration of the Toncontín airport with the aim of recovering the financial viability of the project.
The private company ruled against this request and asks the Government reject this proposal immediately.
PIA argues that a study by consulting firm Flare and its own projections of passenger reductions over the next 12 years as a result of covid-19 indicate that there will be estimated losses of $ 44 million (more than L1,051.6 million ) and have therefore applied by letter sent to Roberto Pineda, Minister of the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Public Services (Insep), the extension of the term of administration of the Toncontín, of which it took possession at the end of 2020, and add to the operative the service of load of the Villa Morales.
According to what was raised by Palmerola, This would be enough to achieve a better financial balance. They propose the modification of the contract based on the terms of clauses 17.1 and 17.3 of the agreement.
“Accordingly, we request that the grantor be authorized to apply for and grant the concession for a period of time that is well considered, the concessions of the airport business of 1) the handling of cargo San Pedro Sula i 2) Tegontig de Tegucigalpa airport“, Indicates the letter sent to Insep.
This request has caused the rejection of the private company, which says that this is only the beginning of a monopolization that will reduce competitiveness and move away from country investments.
Luis Larach, businessman and former president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP), acknowledged that covid has impacted the economy, but PIA has also already received benefits.
“Congress has given new concessions, has exempted from payments for aircraft landings in Palmerola for the next two or three years, has given countless concessions and resources, two or three extensions of resources.
We do not know that it is a difficult project, but that is why we are going to sacrifice Honduras completely, to give life to Palmerola and condemning a monopoly in Honduras for 20 to 30 years; no gentlemen, look for the money on the other hand, it’s too much, “he said.
The Executive Director of the COHEP, Armando Urtecho, Recalled yesterday that this union proposed a year ago to the Government to operate at the airports of San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and Roatan to generate healthy competition with competitive prices. He indicated that yesterday they asked Insep for a copy of the concession contract with TOO to analyze it and issue from the point of view of this guild.
Eduardo Facussé, President of the Cortés Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCIC), stated that it is “concerned” about the lack of rejection on the part of the state to this request which should not proceed.
“If the charging terminal was granted to Palmerola would decrease the option for a third party operator to arrive for the Villeda Morales“Because there would not be enough revenue to justify an independent operation, this would be a monopoly and we reject it,” he said. Facussé said another operator was needed and not a monopoly at the country’s airports.