Honduras' Inversiones EMCO, in partnership with the operator of Munich's international airport, has won the 30-year contract for the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the new Palmerola airport in Honduras.

The National Commission for the Promotion of Public Private Partnership, Miguel Gamez, informed about the selection last Monday after the consortium was the only bidder for the project.

According to Gamez, the investment will exceed US$$87 million and the first works should begin in the second quarter of 2016.

The concession was awarded in January 2014 to Constructora de Servicios Aeroportuarios Integrados S.A. (SAISA) but the contract was canceled. According to sources, the delay to start the project was the reason to cancel the concession contract.

The new airport will be located 13 km from the city of Comayagua, on a former airbase on the major road between Honduras capital, Tegucigalpa, and San Pedro de Sula.

The project includes construction of runway shoulders, a new control tower, a 14,000 m² passenger terminal and a 1500 m² cargo terminal. The airport is expected to have a maximum capacity of 2.1 million passengers per year in 2045.

The total project investment is estimated at US$135 million. The private partner will provide US$87 million, with the remaining to be provided by the Spanish government through the Honduras-Spain restructuring debt fund.

Spanish consultancy firm based in Barcelona, Advanced Logistic Group (ALG), carried out the initial project studies and specifications.