Under its more than US$150 million investment to improve the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, the Guam International Airport Authority is seeking to develop, among others, an integrated Air Cargo Facility with Bonded warehouse to be operated by third parties.
An Airport Authority management consultant Fred Tupaz said the investment plans, comprising 59 enhancement projects scheduled for completion by 2008, include construction of a second air cargo warehouse, also to be operated by third party, and a freight forwarding distribution centre to meet anticipated air cargo growth in Guam.
“This follows the granting of a two year term for foreign carriers with the US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) authority in December 2006, with some exceptions, to engage in transportation of cargo through Guam,” he said. As part of its airport improvement works, the Guam Airport is now working to extend its existing runway to accommodate long range, long haul aircraft, said Tupaz said.
Regarding the express business, Tupaz said the Airport Authority has also signed a $1.6 million lease agreement with DHL. The express service operator will build a new DHL facility in Tiyan at a cost of $1.2 million to carry out express activities.
This express facility will be the first to be constructed in the airport’s Tiyan Business Park, which is trying to woo other potential customers.
The airport authority spokesman said future airport development and the associated economic contributions depend upon improvements to Guam’s transportation infrastructure including the Tiyan infrastructure system comprising the Laderan parkway and the marine Drive Bypass.
The expected development of airport property by air cargo operators and the property development near the airport for other compatible users could add between 5-10 percent to future economic contribution to the airport.
It is learnt that Guam would like to be the host for customs inspections and repacking of goods for U.S. companies that order in bulk from factories in Asia.
The government said that it will work to make Guam a regional distribution centre for goods bound for U.S. retailers as well as the host for customs inspections and repacking of goods for U.S. companies that order in bulk from factories in Asia.
The government’s goal is to have 1 percent of every $500 billion in goods that flow to the United States from Asian manufacturers go through the proposed distribution centre for air and sea cargo. – Wong Joon San
