The battle was lost, but the war for the David (DAV) Enrique Malek Airport Expansion Contract is Not Over

Cedeno, Cedeno, & Associates, Omega Engineering,  PBS & J Caribe have filed a formal action claiming that the bidding process was not done fairly siting several shortcomings in the RIVA S.A., documentation.  Constructora MECO S.A. also filed similar complaints.  More to follow.

RIVA S.A. WINS BID FOR DAV, DAVID ENRIQUE MALEK AIRPORT EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION: $27,478,845.00

Although the contract has not been officially assigned to RIVA S.A., the Argentinian company did receive the recommendation of the Malek Airport expansion committee.

RIVA S.A. WINS BID FOR DAV, DAVID ENRIQUE MALEK AIRPORT EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION:  $27,478,845.00

Click here to see the recommendation of the Aeronautical Authority of Panama.

AEROPUERTO INTERNACIONAL ENRIQUE MALEK l David, Chiriqui- Page 6 - SkyscraperCity

AEROPUERTO INTERNACIONAL ENRIQUE MALEK l David, Chiriqui- Page 6 - SkyscraperCity

Minutes from meeting with ATP Minister Salomon Shamah:

Minutes from meeting with ATP Minister Salomon Shamah:

Meeting Date:  March 26, 2010

In Attendance:  Mr. Salomon Shamah:  General Administrator for the Autoridad de Turismo de Panama (ATP),  Mr. Anthony Arauz, General Administrator, Las Olas, Mr. Idu Ribeiro, General Manager Hotel Ciudad de David,  Mr. Gary Mitchell, Founder Mitchell Golf Development and Las Olas Representative.

Location:  ATP Headquarters, Panama City, Panama.

11AM Meeting Started.

The Meeting was held in English, All parties present agreed to get down to business.  Mr. Idu Ribeiro, Begain the Meeting, and thanked Mr. Shamah for the agreeing to meet.  Mr. Ribeiro, introduced Mr. Arauz and Mr. Mitchell.  Mr. Ribeiro introduced the DAV Direct initiative started by Mr. Arauz.  The presentation was handed off to Mr. Arauz.

Mr. Arauz gave an overview of the DAV Direct website: www.davdirect.org,  and continued with an overview of the response to the inquiry form regarding direct flights to David, Panama's Enrique Malek Airport.  Mr. Arauz made the goals clear that there are many options, and non-stop or one-stop flights are both viable and must be looked at.  Mr. Arauz stated the results from initial survey show that demand for route is at least 3000 re-occurring seats.  Mr. Arauz stipulated that the DAV DIRECT initiative could increase response with more distribution and marketing.

Mr. Shamah responded to by stating that he is very concerned with the occupancy rates of the hotels in the interior of Panama, and that occupancy rates depend greatly on the airlift.  Mr. Shamah, continued to describe that the government was making the following steps to insure that flights with interlink code share on COPA would begin between June 2010 and December 2010.  Mr. Shamah indicated that beyond the money allocated (30 million to the David Enrique Malek Ariport DAV and over 70 Million to Tocumen PTY, the following steps are being made to make flights from PTY to DAV a reality:  1.) A departure bridge is being built at PTY for the DAV flights.  2.)  AIR PANAMA is undergoing an insurance audit to gain secure  coverage from COPA's insurance provider for the route.  3.)  COPA is informed that if AIR PANAMA does not obtain the certification, then COPA would be required to service the route PTY - DAV by DEC 2010 or risk loosing incentives.

Mr. Shamah stated that the flights would be 3 times per week on a 100 passenger jet.

Mr. Shamah, continued to state that he can help make the flights a reality, but that he can not keep them up if they are not a success.  Mr. Shamah also stated that he can help get the people to the hotels, but that is specifically the service industry's responsibility to provide the customers with good service and make them have a good experience in Panama so that they will return in the future and help market the area by word of mouth.

Mr. Shamah agreed to support the DAV DIRECT initiative, both one-stop and non-stop flights.

Meeting was closed.

Aeronautica amplea aeropuerto Malek - SkyscraperCity

Aeronautica amplea aeropuerto Malek - SkyscraperCity

DAV expansion getting closer

The bidding decisions will be announced tomorrow, March 31st.  There is an option to delay the announcement for up to 5 more days.  Here is an excerpt from the DAV, David, Enrique Malek Airport expansion plans:

3.1.3-PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGN

The Contractor will perform the work of designing the

remodeling and expansion of the airport terminal building,

taking as a basis or reference, the following parameters

established by the Civil Aviation Authority are detailed

Next: CHAPTER III

Passenger demand in circulation

• 500 people in Arrivals

• 500 people in Departures

• Areas of separate Arrivals and Departures

Conveyor belt luggage

• Consider two (2) bands, one for Arrivals and one for Departures area, with its own scanner (only

terminal to aircraft)

• They must be under roof deck

Counters for Airlines

• Two (2) for domestic departures (Domestic Flights)

• Five (5) for international departures

Waiting rooms or boarding

• Consider passenger demand in circulation

established.

• Consider health facilities (bathrooms)

Area Tax Free Zone (Dutty Free)

• Consider direct access to waiting rooms

Departure of passengers and their deprivation of use restriction

exclusive to these areas.

Health Service men, women and persons with

Disability

• Consider their location in the exit area

passengers.

Area Government Offices

• Police, Customs, Quarantine, Security, Migration,

among others.

Migration Review Area

• Control Migration

• X-Ray Machines

Area for other public services

• Restaurant or Cafe

• Vehicle Parking (Extension)

Area for other spaces to align and / or consider

• Airport Administration Office

• VIP Lounge

• Public Health Service

• Area weather station

Special Systems

• General Electric System

• Power Plant.

• Central Air Conditioning.

• Fire Alarm System.

• Telephone System, Data and Internet

• Speaker System

• CCTV System

• FIDS system (integrated into the existing system)

• General Plumbing System (including wastewater,

water, storm water and treatment plant)

THE AAC REALIZED THE PUBLIC BIDDING FOR THE REMODELING OF THE DAVID'S ENRIQUE MALEK AIRPORT, (DAV)

Source: http://www.aeronautica.gob.pa/

Nine companies participated in the bidding abbreviated retail price on Wednesday made the Civil Aviation Authority to perform the "Studies, Design and Construction for the expansion of Enrique Malek International Airport in the province of Chiriqui, for a total base 30 million 89 thousand 450 balboas.

The event was chaired by directors of the AAC and the Comptroller General of the Republic, and took place from 8:00 am, where proposals were received and from 11 am they proceeded to open the envelopes that presented the participating companies.

There were companies bidding for amounts exceeding 30 million balboas, while others ranged from 27 to 29 million dollars, even one of the companies offer $ 48 million.

After opening the envelopes the Verification Commission will carry out the assessments and reviews necessary to award the tender to the winner who will conduct the study, design and construction to expand the Enrique Malek International Airport.

The reference price for the bid was 30 million 89 thousand 450 dollars, where aspiring to develop the work might make their proposals and overspend by up to 15% of the original amount.

The AAC performed the act with the utmost transparency requirements, in order to give seriousness to this important airport project is part of the unforgivable goals assigned to the institution by the Government.



Last Updated on Thursday, 25 March 2010 14:28

Update, Promises, and Progress

Progress is difficult to measure in promises, but promises kept are the foundation of most monumental achievements. The transition from dream to reality is upon us. Based on the synergy witnessed between the private sector, and the Panamanian government, direct flights to David from the USA will be a reality in the second half of 2010. Either Air Panama or COPA airlines will fly 3 times per week from Tocumen using a code share / interlink to connect with many international routes at the tocumen hub on a 100 passenger jet. Additionally a non-stop initiative will continue, so as to insure the success of international arrivals into the city of David. Ticket bookings will begin as soon as May 2010.
Enviado desde mi BlackBerry de Claro Panamá

Progress and Promises

According to the Autoridad de Turismo de Panama, one-stop direct flight service to the city of David, Panama Enrique Malek airport (DAV) from the USA and other international gateways will begin sometime in the second half of 2010. Either Air Panama or COPA and affiliates will operate the route.
Enviado desde mi BlackBerry de Claro Panamá

Preliminary Presentation on Survey Results

Logo Launched

MALEK Gelabert is open until 10 PM.

Sept 4. 2009  (AAC)


The international airport Marco A. Gelabert, Albrook and David Enrique Malek Airport-Chiriqui, are operating until 10 pm, in order to extend the flight schedules of domestic airlines and international flights arrive in our country.

This new system allows airlines to extend their hours of local operations and private aircraft owners wishing to travel at night.

The extension of these hours will also be used for flight schools to provide instruction to students in evening hours and thus raise the level and quality of training of pilots.

The Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Licdo. Rafael E. Barcenas Chiari, adopted by circular AAC/DSA/05/09 of aeronautics 02/Agosto / the extension of airport operations Marcos A. Gelabert and Enrique Malek from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Considering the importance to civil aviation, we reproduce this important announcement.

Bidding Meeting Delayed Until Last Week of February

According to several sources the bidding on the project was delayed for a few weeks in order to provide enough time for the construction companies to get accurate calculations together.  It is also confirmed that the companies bidding are indeed busy quoting construction materials, engineering calculations, and design work.  The meeting to review the bids should take place Monday February 22, 2010.

ANNOUNCE BID FOR AIRPORT EXPANSION IN CHIRIQUI ENRIQUE MALEK

Jan, 28th 2010 (AAC)
48 companies attended the meeting and approval prior to the bidding public event to be held Feb. 9, which provides for the expansion project Enrique Malek airport in David, Chiriqui. 

This project is covered at a cost of $ 24 million and will go to public tender.

The project includes design and construction, is scheduled to extend the runway of 2 thousand 100 meters (six thousand 888 feet) to 2 thousand 600 meters (8 thousand 500 feet).

There is also provision in the proposed expansion of the passenger terminal, so that the same has a greater capacity for 500 passengers entering and leaving the same amount.

The AAC advances efforts to ensure that this project becomes a reality as soon as possible. It should be noted that there are already major companies interested in this obra.en 

Traveling from DAV to USA via San Jose

On Feb. 12, Margo, India, and I flew from DAV to San Jose, Costa Rica on Air Panama.  Then we connected to flight 972 to MIA, Miami International on American Airlines.  Our flight to San Jose was delayed one hour because apparently Air Panama needed to send a special A&P technician to San Jose to fix another plane.  (And I thought boats where a bunch of trouble!)  Even with the delay, we arrived in plenty of time to transfer calmly to our international flight.  Our Air Panama flight parked on the ramp behind a hanger with a Gulfstream Jet, a United States of America government jet.  A modern and clean passenger bus picked up all the passengers and transported us to the main terminal.  The San Jose terminal is modern, clean, and busy building.   At passport control they warned us that it was not their fault if we missed our flight,  as if they had been through some special circumstances with other clients trying to avoid spending a night in Panama City.
Our luggage came out much quicker than the David airport, and there are plenty of free luggage carts to use.  The San Jose luggage claim area puts to shame the Tocumen airport also.  Much like PTY, after customs you must give up the cart and use the services of a porter.   The porter we used showed us the way, across the street, to the left, under the parking garage to the elevator.  Upstairs you go to the right and cross the street, enter the check in area, and walk to the left.  At the customs service desk you need to explain to them that you are in transfer and that will help you fill out some forms that are free.  With these forms you then go to the airline check-in counter, check-in, then you go through passport control, and security.   With a child they make you feel extra special  (again something that PTY needs to learn).   Once you are in the passenger terminal, there are an amazing array of concessions to choose from.   Why is Tocumen, PTY so different?

Milestone Reached!

Thank you everyone for your responses.  Looks like we have approximately 3,801 seats per year on a direct flight between the USA and DAV (David, Panama).  Weekly flights on a 737 add up to 7,535 seats. We are more than halfway there!  Please continue to spread the word.  We need the support of everyone who will be using this route.  The time has come to make direct flights a reality.

Meeting with Air Panama regarding direct flights to DAV from USA or Tocumen (PTY)

On February 2, Margo (my wife) and I met with Raul Morales, the Commercial Manager, for Air Panama.  We discussed the possibility of direct flights from Tocumen as well as from the USA to David. Mr. Morales expressed interest in a route between the USA and David, presumably referring to a (jet) turbine aircraft that Air Panama will soon put into operations. This new aircraft will give Air Panama the range to serve longer routes.   I mentioned that the DAV Direct group would be interested in participating in the business of direct flight operations in order to make them a viable activity in the short term.  Additionally, Mr. Morales mentioned that a 4th flight, perhaps in the evening, will begin operations shortly on the Albrook - David route.  Mr. Morales sited that Air Panama would be using the extra hours of night time operations that is now available at the DAV airport.  For those of you concerned with weather during nighttime operations, please note that AAC authorities have stated that the weather patterns at night time are more favorable to flight operations than those in the afternoon.  Indeed, the few night flights that i have been on from Albrook to David (operated at night time due to delays) where indeed completely uneventful and smooth.

Sent from my iPhone

Historia Del Aeropuerto de Libera, Costa Rica

http://aeropuertoguanacaste.qaholah.com/aeropuerto.html

Aeropuerto

El 1 de Junio de 1946 se iniciaron oficialmente las operaciones en Liberia con dos aviones Douglas DC-3 para 26 pasajeros que cubrían una amplia red local. En 1947 se proyectaron los primeros vuelos internacionales a Managua transportando especialmente turistas.

Douglas DC-3

El 11 de abril de 1951 fue bautizado un lujoso DC-3 en Liberia con el nombre de "El Guanacasteco", siendo el primer avión acondicionado sólo para pasajeros.

Los consultores españoles que vinieron a hacer un estudio aeroportuario concordaron en que Costa Rica era el lugar ideal para un gran polo de desarrollo de sol y playa, especialmente en el Golfo de Papagayo.

El estudio de TECNIBERIA fue complementado en 1972 por una misión de la OEA la cual elaboró un plan o estrategia general de desarrollo turístico para el Instituto Costarricense de Turismo; en el que se formularon recomendaciones para todo el país.

El Gobierno de don Daniel Oduber se encargo de iniciar la implementación de estos planes y propuestas. De este modo el 23 de diciembre de 1974 el Gobierno y el Banco Centroamericano firmaron el contrato con el que se daba inicio al proyecto, se asignaron los recursos para la elaboración del estudio de factibilidad técnico-económico y preparación del Plan Maestro del polo turístico de Bahía Culebra ubicado en Liberia. El contrato fue refrendado como Ley 5847 por la Asamblea Legislativa y publicado el 22 de noviembre de 1975.

Este primer paso generó un enorme entusiasmo en sus alrededores con lo cual se iniciaron construcciones de nuevos hoteles en las zonas de Liberia, Carrillo, Santa Cruz, Nicoya, Tamarindo Diriá y Condovac, entre otros, lo mismo que ocurrió en el resto de la zona, donde se construyeron más hoteles gracias al abundante crédito disponible en el sistema bancario para ese fin.

Golfo de Nicoya

Dentro de este contexto se construyó el Aeropuerto de Liberia en el año 1976; éste se creo en función del desarrollo turístico que el Polo de Bahía de Culebra (hoy Golfo de Papagayo) iba a generar. Además se esperaba una expansión de la agricultura basada en los nuevos proyectos de riego que generaría exportación por vía aérea.

En los años siguientes la crisis política y económica que afectó a Centroamérica provocó un grave estancamiento de este proceso de desarrollo turístico. Sin embargo los gobiernos posteriores continuaron lentamente con las siguientes etapas. Fue así como en la administración Carazo se aprobó la Ley 6963 que permitió al I.C.T. ( Instituto Costarricense de Turismo ) expropiar los terrenos del Golfo de Papagayo. Luego en el Gobierno de don Luis Alberto Monge se aprobó la ley que regula el desarrollo del proyecto. Durante la administración Arias se efectuó la convocatoria nacional e internacional para recibir solicitudes de Concesiones. En el Gobierno de don Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier se otorgaron las primeras concesiones y se iniciaron las primeras obras de infraestructura y hoteleras. En la siguiente administración se corrigieron algunos problemas legales que afectaban al Plan Maestro y al régimen de Concesiones. Finalmente se concluyeron las obras necesarias para poner en operación el Aeropuerto de Lineria como el segundo Aeropuerto Internacional del país .

La operación del Aeropuerto de Liberia se sustentará principalmente por el crecimiento de la oferta y la demanda turística internacional según la división geográfica que se hace del territorio nacional para fines de planificación.

En los últimos años y como consecuencia de la Ley 6990 de incentivos al desarrollo turístico y del Proyecto de Papagayo, Guanacaste ha sido la región del país que mayor cantidad de inversión en desarrollos hoteleros ha tenido en comparación con el resto del país. La cantidad de pasajeros que llegan al país ha superado toda expectativa, ya que las proyecciones establecidas fueron superadas casi al doble dando un crecimiento positivo a la zona de Guanacaste

Aeropuerto Daniel Oduber

En el Plan Estratégico de Desarrollo Turístico Sostenible de Costa Rica de mayo de 1995, elaborado por la Dirección de Planificación del I.C.T., con apoyo de la Misión de la Comunidad Europea se señala que del total de atracciones turísticas del país que son 996, el 21% se encuentran en Guanacaste. Al analizar las atracciones de categoría 3, que son las de mayor valor, Guanacaste cuenta con 10 de un total de 39 (25.5%), debido al gran peso que tiene en esta clasificación el recurso Playas.

Las playas de Guanacaste son por lo tanto el motivo principal de la visita turística de la región. Si embargo los Parques Nacionales de la misma región cuentan también con un importante potencial de desarrollo de mercados que ha ido en incremento.

Las actividades acuáticas y deportivas ligadas a la playa y el mar son las que efectúan más los visitantes. El 85% de los turistas internacionales que visitan Guanacaste lo hacen motivados por el recurso playas y el 15% por otros recursos naturales. El Proyecto Papagayo está concebido como un gran centro turístico de sol y playa que en su etapa de culminación llegará a tener en el año 2015 un total de 26450 habitaciones para uso turístico.

La ciudad de Liberia experimenta un notable crecimiento urbano y comercial ya que es la ciudad de apoyo de la zona, donde residirá la mayor parte de la población.

Para Costa Rica, la apertura y desarrollo de este Aeropuerto Internacional y la efectiva ejecución de todos estos macroproyectos de desarrollo turístico tienen la misma importancia que las que tuvieron la apertura del Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría y la aprobación de la Ley de Incentivos Turísticos.

Carta Al AAC y Empresas Interesadas en el Exito de Chiriqui

Muy Buenas,

Soy Anthony Arauz, Director del desarrollo turístico Las Olas, ubicado a 25 minutos del Aeropuerto de Enrique Malek. Nuestro proyecto consiste de los siguientes estructuras ya hechas: Las Olas Beach Resort (48 habitaciones), Condominio Brisas Del Mar (48 Apartamentos de 3 recamaras cada una), y con mas de 240 lotes de frente de mar, de lo cual tenemos 60 casas ya construidas.

Tenemos programado un desarrollo final de mas de 3000 viviendas con campo de golf y marina. Parte de mi trabajo que voy a realizar son vuelos comerciales con origen en los estados unidos, sean directos o con una parada por ejemplo en Panamá ciudad con continuación a la ciudad de David.

Asistí a la presentación del AAC en David con la camera de turismo en 2007, y me pareció genial las fotos y diagramas PowerPoint de los planos de ampliación y estadísticas de Aeropuerto de Enrique Malek. Despues comuniqué con el Senior Vice President de una aerolínea norte americano, y el quiere reunirse par hablar sobre la oportunidad.

Necesitamos formar un grupo que consiste de miembros del AAC y de desarrolladores del área para hacer una presentación y empezar las negociaciones con estas aerolíneas. Nosotros sabemos la lección que aprendimos de Liberia, Costa Rica: la participación del sector privado es vital.

Los proyectos turísticos de alta calidad de Chiriqui o ya existen o están en construcción. El aeropuerto y la infraestructura de David se esta haciendo los “upgrades” necesarios. Nos llego la hora de informar y atraer las aerolíneas.

Favor de mandarme el archivo digital del presentación de la ampliación del aeropuerto de David y los nombres y contactos de cuales de ustedes van a formar el equipo de presentación y negociación con los aerolíneas.

Me gustaría brindarlos los facilidades del Las Olas Beach Resort (www.lasolasresort.com) como el lugar para un reunión entre el equipo del AAC con miembros del otros desarrollos del área. Favor de indicar que fechas funcionarán con el caldario de ustedes para hacer las preparaciones. Lo ideal seria que ustedes llegaran en la tarde y reunimos un rato, cenamos, se quedan la noche en el resort, reunimos en la mañana, y se van después del almuerzo.

Gracias por su atención,

Anthony Arauz

AEROPUERTO INTERNACIONAL DE DAVID "ENRIQUE MALEK"

INFORMACIÓN GENERAL DEL AERÓDROMO: OPERADOR: Autoridad Aeronáutica Civil TIPO: Público, Comercial, Internacional HORARIO DE OPS: 06:00 AM - 08:00 PM ADMINISTRADOR: INES ESQUIVEL DESIGNADOR OACI: MPDA DESIGNADOR NACIONAL: DAV DIRECCIÓN: Provincia de Chiriquí, Corregimiento de Pedregal. TEL. ADMINISTRACIÓN: 721-1072 721-4072 TEL. COMUNICACIONES: 721-1062 721-1637 CORREO ELECTRÓNICO: iesquivel@aeronautica.gob.pa UBICACIÓN: 6,5 Km al este del centro de la ciudad. DATOS AERONAUTICOS DEL AERÓDROMO: CLAVE DE REFERENCIA OACI: 4D ELEVACIÓN: 27,13 m ( 89 pies) COORDENADAS ARP: 08º 23´ 27" N - 082º 26´ 06" W (WGS 84) TEMPERATURA: 33º C PISTAS: 04 / 22 DIMENSION: 2100 x 45 m SUPERFICIE: ASFALTO RESISTENCIA: Limitado a 209,558 libras LUCES RWY: SI FRECUENCIA DE CONTROL: 118,7 Mhz FRECUENCIA DE SUPERFICIE: 121,7 Mhz MAPA DEL AERÓDROMO (Ver Plano Clik aquí ) SERVICIOS DISPONIBLES TRANSPORTE: Taxis, Buses y Vehículos de Alquiler COMBUSTIBLE: AVGAS 100 - JP -1 DESPACHO DE AERONAVES: Compañias comerciales privadas. TELEFONÍA: SI