Flughafen Zürich AG awarded with concession for airport in Chile

The Joint Venture A-Port Chile S.A., in which Flughafen Zürich AG participates, has won the concession of Iquique's airport in Chile. With the handover in January 2013, A-port Chile will be responsible for the extension and operation of the airport for a transition period of four years. "Aeropuerto Internacional Diego Aracena" airport is located around 20 kilometers to the south of the port city Iquique (300'000 population) and borders the Atacama desert in the north of Chile. The distance to the capital city Santiago de Chile is around 1'800 kilometers. The fish processing industry, mining, tourism and the free trade zone are of particular economic importance for the prospering region.

With its 1.1 million passengers, Iquique is currently the third largest airport in Chile. Due the high growth rates in the past few years (28 percent in 2011), a major expansion of the airport is planned for 2017. In light of this, the current tender was designed as a transition concession and will allow the authorities to prepare a comprehensive reference project for the next expansion phase.

Flughafen Zürich AG is involved in the operation of eleven airports in India and Latin America, including the three Chilean airports Antofagasta, Puerto Montt and La Serena. Flughafen Zürich AG specifically concentrates on management contracts of airports in emerging markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia as well as in close collaboration with strong local partners.