Andorra Approves €1.35M Payment to Heliport Concessionaire Amid Construction Delays

The Andorran government approved a €1,354,845 payment to Heliports d’Andorra 360, the concessionaire for the national heliport at La Caubella, on 1 April, despite ongoing construction delays.

The decree, published in the BOPA without prior official announcement, addresses annual negative operational results under the 30-year concession. It follows clause two of the contract and annex 3's risk matrix, covering risks 6 and 7—construction price updates and material cost variations—and risk 18, linked to relocating the mountain bike circuit. Officials note these factors, including inflation and uncontrollable price rises, fall outside the concessionaire's responsibility.

Construction started in November 2023 with an 18-month target but has stretched toward 30 months, with equipment completion now forecast for June. Engineers recently visited the advanced site during their annual assembly. Government sources estimate total infrastructure costs at €12 million, building on an initial €5 million state contribution. They frame the payment as a project settlement or closeout.

The contract allows the state to fund up to 75% of the original €10 million construction budget in specified scenarios. In profitable years, the operator pays a canon of 10% of EBITDA without preclearance—a border police checkpoint—or 15% with it.

Officials insist no broader financing problems exist, though some construction firms report payment delays.