Mia Mottley Administration Still Working Towards Finalizing $300M PPP Deal for Grantley Adams International Airport

The much-anticipated $300 million public-private partnership (PPP) deal for the operation of Grantley Adams International Airport has faced yet another delay, making it the fifth delay overall. The government has now set a new target for completion by the end of this year, after missing the initial deadline of March, according to a statement released late Friday.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, has expressed his hopes of concluding the deal before the end of this month, but is now expecting it to be finalized by the end of the year. In July 2023, the government, GAIA Inc., and a joint consortium of investors – the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai and Chilean company Agencias Universales SA – signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a comprehensive investment package.

The PPP aims to bring in investments, develop and operate the airport as a major cargo hub, expand airlift, and increase luxury hotel capacity, job opportunities, and improve customer experience. However, Straughn revealed that decisions have already been made in terms of expansion, including the addition of air bridges and expanding the aprons. These plans will be carried out once the financing arrangements have been finalized.

The minister emphasized the need to ensure that the civil aviation infrastructure is in top shape, especially with the increase in passenger