Hoy newspaper mentions four companies that are vying for contracts related to the construction and operation of Dominican airports. According to the newspaper at Las Americas International Airport (Santo Domingo), an investment of US$75 million is needed to rebuild the runways, expand the taxi way, build a new terminal, remodel the existing terminal, rehabilitate the old cargo terminal, and expand the parking area. The main runway requires a new layer of asphalt. The airport renovations would allow the main Dominican airport to handle four to six million passengers a year. At Arroyo Barril in Samaná, the government contemplates hiring a company to complete the terminal and expand the runway from 1,300 meters to 3,300 meters. Hoy newspaper cites reports stating that almost RD$500 million has been invested in this airport for which an opening date has yet to be announced. In Puerto Plata, the government has determined that a partial remodeling of the terminal is necessary, the completion of the taxi way and a platform for the parking of airplanes are also required. According to the newspaper, companies competing for these contracts are: GTM-Aeroport du París (ADP). GTM is the builder of the airports and ADP is the operator of several of the larger airports in France. This company was said to be represented by engineer Abraham Selman, brother of the director of the government state enterprise corporation (CORDE), and already a major electrical contractor services provider through his IEMCA firm. Calmaquip, described as a builder, but mainly known in the DR as an equipment provider. Spie Bagtinoles-Coala, the combination of the Spie Batignoles French firm that built the airport with Coala, presided by Joan Giacinti, whose company Maisa has the contract for cleanliness and maintenance of the Las Americas and Gregorio Luperón (Puerto Plata) airports. Aeronorte-AENA. Aeronorte is a Dominican company presided by engineer Abraham Hazoury. AENA is a Spanish government firm that operates airports in Spain. Meanwhile, the daily news of the day reported on a 7 July letter from the Association of Airlines where the organization complains of inadequate maintenance of airport facilities, mentioning faulty air-conditioning, mechanical stairs, jetway, carpeting and hygiene in the bathrooms.
