Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom) signed a contract with the Dominican state for a 20-year concession contract to design, finance and construct more than US$400 million in improvements and to operate its four international airports. Aerodom is a consortium made up by Ogden Corporation, YVR Airport Services (development/operations arm of the Vancouver, British Columbia, airport authority) and Impreglio (the Milan, Italy-based construction company with significant airport development and construction experience) and Operadora de Aeropuertos del Caribe. Aerodom was formed to undertake the airport improvements and to provide ongoing oversight and management of the airports. Aerodom will collect and retain aeronautical revenues such as aircraft landing and parking fees, airport terminal revenues including passenger facility charges and fees from airport services providers, and all commercial revenues, rents and fees at Las Americas Airport (Santo Domingo), Gregorio Luperon Airport (Puerto Plata), Maria Montez Airport (Barahona) and Arroyo Barril Airport (Samana). Of the four, only the first two are in operation. Speaking for OPASA, Abraham Hazoury said, "Airports privatization is a very important step that the Dominican Republic has taken to be prepared for the demands of the new millennium."
