The bidding process for the tender to run Corvera Airport has been suspended after a complaint from AENA, who are the operators of the existing Murcia regional facility at San Javier, as protests continue in support of keeping San Javier open.
AENA, who run the vast majority of the country’s airports, including Alicante-Elche, and are thought to be a potential bidder for the 25-year Corvera franchise, have lodged a complaint with the independent contractual tribunal (TACRC).
They say that the tender conditions are too flexible in allowing bidders with relatively little experience in airport management, as well as not being tough enough on their business plans and background checks on how financial strong they are.
The TACRC investigation will run until mid-summer, and they have also received a similar complaint from the former concession holder at Corvera, Aeromur, who’s contract with the Murcian regional government was scrapped in 2015 amidst great acrimony.
Corvera Airport was completed in 2012 and has lied dormant ever since, whilst campaigners continue to lobby on the Mar Menor for San Javier to remain open, including airport workers staging a demonstration outside San Javier town hall last Thursday.
