The Government of Andorra signs the concession contract to build the national heliport
Before starting the works it is necessary to make the declaration of Project of National Interest
ANDORRA LA VELLA (ANDORRA) 26 (EUROPEAN PRESS)
The Minister of the Presidency, Economy and Business of Andorra, Jordi Gallardo, and the representative of the UTE Heliand Helinord have signed this Thursday the concession contract to build and manage the national heliport.
The Government broke the award last November and since then the UTE has formalized its union and the contract between the two parties has been agreed, reports the Andorran Government in a statement.
The award of the heliport was made public last Monday: when it emerged that the government agreement was from November 16, much controversy remained, especially with the Social Democratic Party (PS), the main formation of the parliamentary opposition.
The PS accused the Government of “lying, deceiving and hiding information” from the public, since a week before it had promoted a motion in the General Council (Parliament) to stop the award and at no time was it reported that the decision was already taken.
This Thursday Gallardo has defended that the entire process has been carried out following “legality, under the principles of transparency and with the corresponding mandatory legal reports.”
In fact, he has insisted that the Executive had no obligation to inform about the award decision and that, in any case, if he did not explain it, it was because the opposition did not ask him either.
The next step to start construction is to declare the Project of National Interest (PIN) and for this reason all the information has been processed to the ComĂș (town hall) of La Massana, the parish that will host the installation and that must issue a binding report.
CONCESSION FOR 30 YEARS
The concession is for 30 years and provides for the construction and management of the heliport, giving preference to the operator in the event that it is decided to establish regular routes in the future.
For its part, the Government guarantees an exclusive hangar space for State aircraft, with technical units and accommodation if there is a need to keep guards in person.
In addition, State aircraft will not pay parking, takeoff and landing or passenger fees.
FACILITY
The terminal building and the main hangar will be integrated into a single construction: the ground floor will use the hangar and the spaces for passenger treatment, while the upper part will have offices, offices and a restaurant.
According to the minister, it is conceived as a “passive” building and exterior materials will be used so that it is integrated with the environment.
COMPENSATION FOR NEGATIVE RESULTS
The contract provides for the Government to compensate the UTE with a maximum of 7,627,034 euros if the operating results are negative.
Even so, Gallardo has made it clear that this situation would occur in the “worst” of cases, but that then an infrastructure that would have cost more than 10 million would be recovered.
In the event of positive results of less than 15%, the company will pay a fee of between 10% and 15%, while if the profits exceed 15%, the excess will be reinvested in the heliport or completely transferred to the Government.