The National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) selected the temporary union Validación IP Cartagena from among 5 bidders as the entity in charge of reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating, in a comprehensive manner, the feasibility documents presented by the originator of the IP Ciudadela Aeroportuaria Cartagena de Indias (New Cartagena airport) in Cartagena City in the Bayunca area of Bolívar, Colombia.

The joint venture, made up of Cal y Mayor Colombia (35%), Airia Ingeniería y Servicios SA (35%), Coral Delgado & Asociados SAS (15%) and Estructuras en Finanzas SA (15%), will be responsible for reviewing the technical, environmental, social, property, legal, financial and risk components of the private initiative, which includes a new airport infrastructure of 103,630 m² to handle up to 17 million passengers annually. The Private Initiative PPP Ciudadela Aeroportuaria Cartagena de Indias is a game-changing project aimed at boosting the Caribbean region’s development by enhancing Cartagena’s airport infrastructure. This will address increasing passenger demand, attract new airlines, and expand routes and frequencies. The new airport’s advanced design will improve operational efficiency, elevate the user experience, and support logistical and industrial growth in the city. Planned for construction in Bayunca (Cartagena), the airport will leverage the Vía del Mar and La Cordialidad highways to optimize connectivity.

The initiative involves an investment exceeding US$12 billion and spans an area of 864 hectares, including land acquisition for a future second runway. The project will feature 16 boarding bridges, 25 commercial aircraft parking spaces, and 22 for general aviation. The first runway is projected to handle 35 operations per hour—almost double the current capacity of 19. In its final phase, the development will include a passenger terminal of 103,630 m² (four times the size of the current Cartagena airport terminal) and a parking lot with 2,260 spaces.