SA Airports Company to manage Brazil's Guarulhos

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Danette Breitenbach

According to Business Report, the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has won a bid for the expansion, maintenance and operation of Guarulhos, Brazil's busiest airport, located at a suburb of the city of São Paulo.

"This will enhance Acsa's brand and better position it in the market place as a serious participant in global airport investment and management," Acsa's acting managing director Bongani Maseko said in a statement.

Acsa won 51 percent of the 20-year concession and the remaining 49 percent are held by Brazilian company Infraero. "We managed to secure an opportunity in India a few years ago, we now have Brazil and are pursuing similar ventures in Africa," Maseko said. Acsa announced that it would provide Guarulhos with airport management through a technical service agreement, including the preparation of detailed operational plans for the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup, the Pope's visit for the World Youth Day in 2013, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Maseko said that Acsa will be paid airport management fees in addition to the investment return on capital contributions. "The next step is for the consortium partners to finalise the signing of the concession and other related agreements by May 2012," he said. Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele's office congratulated Acsa on the win: "This is, indeed, exciting news for South Africa and our continent," ministerial spokesman Logan Maistry told Business Reports.

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