The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement with the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to develop a new international passengers terminal at Jacksons International Aiport in Port Moresby.
The “transaction advisory services agreement” was signed last Thursday and will see the development of the new airport feature through a public-private partnership (PPP).
Marcelo Minc, ADB Country Director for PNG says “ADB has been a key development partner to NAC for several years through the landmark Civil Aviation Development Investment Program.”
“Through this transaction advisory support to NAC for the Jacksons airport, we hope to complement the work we are doing across the PNG aviation sector, develop a regional hub for air traffic in the Pacific, and create a template for delivery of PPP projects in the region.”
Under the PPP scheme the private sector will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the airport facilities. A new international passenger terminal, the extension of the main runway, and other infrastructure enhancements will also help the airport meet forecast air services growth up to 2040.
ADB’s support is part of its ongoing assistance to PNG to identify and develop PPPs in the transport sector, a key priority in ADB’s 2016 – 2020 Country Partnership Strategy for PNG.
ADB has been supporting the government to improve 21 national airports to provide safer, more secure and all-weather air transport services through the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program. Jacksons International Airport is part of the program.
Loop file photo