Odinsa Airports stand out for reducing the carbon footprint: Mariscal Sucre Airport was declared carbon neutral, and El Dorado Airport advanced to the reduction level

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  • Grupo Argos’s concession company, Odinsa, ratified its commitment to sustainability and generating shared value through the implementation of climate change mitigation initiatives at its concessions.
  • Mariscal Sucre became the first international airport to have reached carbon footprint neutrality in Latin America.
  • El Dorado was certified at level 2 – Reduction by the Airport Carbon Accreditation of the ACI-LAC because it reduced emissions intensity by 5% over 2017, and by 25% compared to the previous three years’ average.

Medellín, September 9, 2019. Odinsa, Grupo Argos’s concession company, continues to materialize its commitment to sustainability through specific actions and programs that generate shared value for the company, the environment and society. This includes its decisive aim to reduce the carbon footprint, with its airports attaining outstanding results.

Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito was declared carbon neutral in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA) established by the Airports International Council and with technical approval from the United Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Bank, and the US Federal Aviation Administration. Mariscal Sucre became the first international airport to have reached carbon footprint neutrality in Latin America.

Initiatives aimed at reaching this important goal include specific actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as fuel savings and energy efficiency actions such as replacing lamps for LED bulbs, and capturing over 400 tons of CO2 thanks to the 4,596 trees planted in reforestation activities at the Caraburo plateau reserve area, among others. In addition, the airport offsets its direct emissions through the purchase of certified carbon bonds from sustainable projects like the MANOA REDD+, which consists of the conservation of a 74,000-hectare forest located in the state of Rondonia, Brazil, whose biodiversity is threatened by deforestation and lumber theft.

“At Odinsa we have the clear conviction that sustainability requires concrete actions that generate positive impacts, which is why we design, adapt, implement and share industry best practices at our concessions, which allow us to generate shared value for our stakeholders as well as for the company,” stated Mauricio Ossa, CEO of Odinsa.

El Dorado’s air terminal received level 2 – Reduction certification, in the framework of this same program by the Airport Carbon Accreditation of the ACI-LAC, because it reduced emissions intensity by 5% over 2017, and by 25% compared to the previous three years’ average.

This reduction was possible thanks to the implementation of strategies stipulated in the airport’s carbon management plan, which includes energy savings based on improvements to the air conditioning, ventilation and lighting systems, as well as service vehicle fleet renovation, in addition to the execution of offset programs involving planting and maintaining trees at an ecosystem of the dry tropical forest in the Colombian Andean region, and its participation in the BanCO2 initiative.

Other noteworthy aspects of the plan include the short-term launch of the largest air terminal solar panel project in Latin America, developed thanks to a partnership between Odinsa, Opain and Celsia, which includes 10,369 panels that will generate around 12% of the air terminal’s energy, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of +1500 homes. This project will also prevent the emission of

1,375 tons of CO2.

Finally, Odinsa will continue to deploy its shared-value generation proposal and to responsibly manage its concessions, in line with the best practices of its parent company, Grupo Argos, thereby continuing to support competitiveness and development in the countries where it operates through high-impacting, carefully developed projects that generate progress and connectivity.

More about managing energy and carbon emissions and the Airport Carbon Accreditation:

ENERGY AND EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT AT ODINSA ABOUT AIRPORT CARBON ACCREDITATION LEVELS:
Structuring We identify energy efficiency opportunities and create strategies to prevent and mitigate emissions during the construction and operation of infrastructure projects, which also adapt to climate change.   Quantification We inventory greenhouse gas emissions in our projects, pinpointing sources of emissions and their volumes, which allows us to identify strategies to reduce and optimize energy consumption.   Reduction and optimization We look for energy efficiency opportunities and implement operational improvements to reduce impacts and generate savings in projects. We also work with roads and airports stakeholders to engage them in efforts to manage mobility impacts.   Offsetting We implement offset plans through initiatives that protect strategic ecosystems.

For additional information contact:

Viviana Arroyave, Director of Communications / varroyave@odinsa.com / +57 3176469218

Visit www.odinsa.com and our social media @SomosOdinsa on Twitter I Odinsa on LinkedIn

More about Quiport: Click here to see press release

More about El Dorado initiatives at http://verde.eldorado.aero

Odinsa reported a successful bonds issue of USD 415 million for El Dorado Airport, as well as positive results in the first quarter of 2019

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  • Grupo Argos’s concession company posted EBITDA of COP 274,618 million, net profit of COP 76 billion, and revenue in excess of COP 399 billion.  
  • Over 14 million vehicles traveled on its concession roads, and nearly 19 million passengers passed through its airports in the first quarter.
  • In the second half of the year, the company will promote the development of various initiatives, continuing to contribute to the current and future competitiveness of the countries where it operates.

Medellín, August 16, 2019. Odinsa, Grupo Argos’s concessions company, reported a successful bond issue for its Opain concession. Opain is El Dorado Airport’s operator, in the amount of USD 415 million, which is excellent news for the infrastructure sector and the Colombian capitals market, as this issue attracted the attention of eleven international funds that view it as a good option for investment in Colombian infrastructure projects.

The market’s positive response to this bond placement was evident in the high credit rating of BBB obtained from Fitch Ratings and the demand which reached USD 693 million, actually an excess demand of USD 278 million.

With regard to its financial balances, the company reported solid results for the first half of the year derived from positive operations of its road and airport concessions in Aruba, Colombia, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, which continue to generate strategic connections in Latin America. Odinsa closed the semester with EBITDA of COP 274,618 million, 9% higher compared to 2018; net profit of COP 76,723 million, up 1% from the same period last year, and revenue of COP 399,149 million, very similar to the first half of 2018.

“At Odinsa we continue to materialize our purpose of contributing to regional connectivity with road and airport projects that create development, competitiveness and shared value, and continue to strengthen the market’s trust in our country and attract investment for its development,” said Mauricio Ossa, CEO of Odinsa.

These positive results were driven primarily by its airport concessions, which mobilized nearly 19 million passengers and had major accomplishments in the first half of the year, including opening routes, increased frequencies and recognitions for sustainability, customer care and cargo shipping, among others. Its road concessions reported over 14 million vehicles and a positive operating trends, with successful works completion at Conexión Pacífico 2 in Antioquia, which to date is reporting 74% progress, higher than what was projected in the timetable negotiated with the ANI.

Today, Grupo Argos’s concessions company has a strategic portfolio that strengthens its position in the sector and the market’s trust, which continues to solidify with events such as the ratification of the AA- rating Stable Outlook by Fitch ratings, and seen in important actions like the successful issues and placements of bonds for its Quiport concessions under Mariscal Sucre for USD 400 million and Opain, the El Dorado airport operator, for USD 415 million.   

“In the second half of the year we will continue to manage our concessions efficiently, strengthening our portfolio and developing road and airport infrastructure initiatives that give the market solutions and contribute to the present and future competitiveness of the countries in which we operate”, indicated Mauricio Ossa.

Noteworthy facts about its concessions 

  • Closed the first half of the year by connecting over 16 million passengers with 41 local destinations and 26 countries through 22 airlines. It mobilized 300,000 tons of cargo through 21 national and international airlines, consolidating itself as the number one cargo airport in Latin America. Moreover, all the modernization and expansion projects were completed by the concession holder, with an investment of 2.2 trillion pesos, and the airport has positioned itself as a green airport in the region, having received several awards attesting to that fact, including the international Outstanding Sustainability Program Award and the Carbon Footprint accreditation See more

More about the bonds issue: The issue obtained an international rating of BBB from Fitch Ratings, and it was arranged through a private placement where eleven international investors acquired the notes. The resources from this transaction were used to repay Opain’s total outstanding credits abroad, which will allow it to continue with its plans for investment and to strengthen services at El Dorado Airport. Because of its strategic location, this airport has become the main port of entry and exit for Colombia, being the first airport in South America in terms of cargo movement, with over 700,000 tons, and third in passenger traffic with over 32 million a year.  See more

  • It moved 2 and a half million passengers, connecting them with nearly 30 national and international destinations, recognized as the best specialized cargo airport in the world and Best Regional Airport in South America according to Skytrax; it announced the opening and start-up of new routes like Quito-Madrid (Plus Ultra), Quito-Paris (Air France, Quito-Santiago (LATAM), and Quito-Toronto (Air Canada Rouge); plus increased route frequencies, including Quito-Madrid (Iberia). It also celebrated its first 6 years of operation, during which it has contributed to the country’s connectivity. See more
  • : so far this year, the project has contributed to the connectivity of 1,270,492 vehicles, and reports 74% works completion to date, 9% higher than what was projected in the timetable negotiated with the ANI. Noteworthy in that sense was the successful completion of the Mulatos Tunnel; the official inauguration of Functional Unit 1, which completes 2 of the 5 roads that comprise the project, and a successful social and environmental management, which contributes to the territory’s sustainable development. See more
  • the concession closed the first half of the year with traffic of over 5 million vehicles; it also made progress in the materialization of the works contained in Addendum 20, signed in 2018, concluding 50% of the proposed designs and studies; in addition to the start-up of works such as the installation of pedestrian bridges. It has also received over 100,000 visitors at its user assistance centers (Tambos) and provided services to just over 3,600 travelers that traveled its roads. See more

For additional information contact:

Viviana Arroyave, Director of Communications / varroyave@odinsa.com / +57 3176469218

Visit www.odinsa.com and our social networks @SomosOdinsa on Twitter I Odinsa on LinkedIn

Odinsa highlighted management of Autopistas del Café in the first half of 2019

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  • The concession closed the first half of the year with a positive balance and traffic of over 5 million vehicles.
  • At this point in 2019, over 100,000 people have visited its user assistance centers (Tambos) and just over 3,600 travelers used their assistance services.
  • Autopistas del Café also reported progress in Addendum 20 with the start of works and completion of some designs.

Medellín, July 22, 2019. Grupo Argos’s concession company Odinsa highlighted the performance of Autopistas del Café’s operations and indicated that thanks to its user-focused efforts, it attained a positive balance in the first half of 2019, contributing to regional connectivity and strengthening the Coffee Belt as one of the main road networks in Colombia.

With regard to infrastructure, Odinsa indicated that the concession made progress in the materialization of works stipulated in Addendum 20, which was signed in 2018, emphasizing that some of the studies and designs described therein have been completed. These include the nine pedestrian bridges in Playa Rica and Guacarí in Risaralda; stabilizing the embankment at K24+380 in Valle del Cauca; and the intersections in El Caimo district, La Tebaida and Filandia municipality in Quindío, standing at 50% works completion. Additionally, installation of the El Rosario Pedestrian Bridge located in the Chinchiná – La Manuela Highway in Manizales, which will be operation in the third quarter of the year.

Moreover, other services intended to provide users with a good experience include the Tambos, or user assistance centers, which have become tourist landmarks, because they are spaces where visitors can enjoy beautiful landscapes and the coffee culture, as well as free services such as bathrooms, telephones, parking, Internet and cafeterias. In the first half of the year, over 100,000 visitors enjoyed these four Tambos: El Edén in Armenia; El Privilegio in Santa Rosa de Cabal; Jardín Filandia and La Manuela in Manizales. 

In addition, the concession renewed its mobile application to provide tourists and locals alike a more personalized experience: Autopistas del Café. With the app, users can search for road conditions in real time and get information about tourist attractions, request assistance if needed, and get discounts at restaurants located along the highway.

 “We are excited to see how Autopistas del Café continues to support regional connectivity with its timely services, the execution of top-quality projects, contributions to social development, and generation of positive experiences for its users,” said Mauricio Ossa, CEO of Odinsa. 

With regard to its social and environmental management, which constitutes a fundamental pillar for Autopistas del Café, and in line with Odinsa policies, in the first half of the year the concession engaged in various activities, including trainings and workshops focused on road safety for over 1000 children from 22 schools; reforestation of 25 hectares with 27,500 trees planted to protect the source of the Quindío River; and the construction of 250 individual septic systems in Manizales, Pereira, Santa Rosa, Circasia, Salento and Filandia.

Furthermore, in order to promote road safety and facilitate user mobility, the concession, together with the Highway Police, provided 1500 sessions for training, support and preventive highway plans to raise awareness among users about this important topic.

“In the second half of the year we will continue working together with our shareholder Odinsa to promote regional connectivity, encouraging safe mobility, strengthening our services and implementing technological improvements that provide an excellent experience to the users that travel through one of Colombia’s most representative regions,” said Autopistas del Café’s Manager, Mauricio Vega.

For more information contact:

Viviana Arroyave, Director of Communications I +57 3176469218 I varroyave@odinsa.com

Visit www.odinsa.com and our social networks @SomosOdinsa on Twitter I Odinsa on LinkedIn

Odinsa reported a successful first half of the year at Conexión Pacífico 2, as well as 73% works completion.

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  • Conexión Pacífico 2 made steady progress during the first half of 2019, attaining major milestones such as the inauguration of its second functional unit and completion of digging at the Mulatos Tunnel.
  • The project’s completion rate reached 73%, which is 9% more than what was projected in the timetable negotiated with the ANI. 

Medellín, July 18, 2019 – Odinsa, a Grupo Argos concessions company, reported a positive balance on its Pacífico 2 project at the end of the first half of 2019. The fourth-generation project, with 96.5 kilometers of road, will help connect Colombia’s northern region with Antioquia, the Coffee Belt and the Pacific region, and promote competitiveness in the country. Positive results were reported regarding mobility, operations, construction and social and environmental management.

So far this year, the project has contributed to the connectivity of 1,270,492 vehicles that traveled on the Pacífico 2 roads and made use of nearly 5,000 portfolio services offered by the concession holder to contribute to safe mobility. Also under the same line of promoting self-care, Odinsa hosted 50 road safety workshops with the participation of 7,070 users as well as the project’s neighboring communities.

Regarding works completion, the outlook is even more positive, with the project reaching 73%, or 9% more than what was projected in the timetable negotiated with the ANI. A major highlight was the official inauguration of Functional Unit 1, which completes 2 of the 5 roads that comprise this project. The inaugurated works include 14 kilometers of a two-lane highway between La Pintada and Puente Iglesias, 3 kilometers of single-lane road at La Pintada, and the Puente Iglesias intersection. 

Added to this was the completion of the Mulatos Tunnel, which crosses the rocky wall in the municipality of Tarso. This milestone, which was achieved thanks to the efforts of over 480 people and state-of-the-art technology, is very significant in the world of engineering because it represents the merger of the various tunnel tube excavation fronts, enabling circulation from one side of the tunnel to the other.

“We are very satisfied with Conexión Pacífico 2’s management. This project continues to materialize its purpose of contributing to the region’s connectivity and social and economic strength” asserted Mauricio Ossa, president of Odinsa and majority shareholder of Pacífico 2.

In matters of sustainability, in line with Odinsa’s policies and reaffirming its commitment with generating progress in the region, the concession holder in charge of the project developed various programs and activities related to social and environmental issues in the first few months of the year. Notable among them were 7 productive initiatives that provide self-management tools for household economies and foster employment in the southwest, directly benefiting 60 families, which in turn, generate sources of income for another 71 families.

Finally, with regard to environmental management, we should note the implementation of 20 Fauna Steps: rescue and relocation of nearly 150 wild animals, reforestation of 3 hectares, and starting the reforestation of 7 others, as well as progress in the water conservation program which protects the three most important watersheds in the region: Cartama, Piedras and Mulatos.

“In the second half of the year we continued working with quality, expediency and under high standards of sustainability, incorporating the experience and best practices of our shareholders Odinsa and El Cóndor, which allow us to deliver a positive balance of our efforts today” stated Gustavo Bernal, Manager of La Pintada, concession holder in charge of Pacífico 2.

More about Pacífico 2 and its management:

This fourth-generation project (4G), operated by La Pintada concession, has an investment of over 1.3 trillion pesos for the construction of 42.5 km of new roads, 2.5 kilometers of double tube tunnel, 54 kilometers of rehabilitated roads and 42 bridges distributed over 5 sections or functional units.

See works completion video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm5ttacX5lk 

For more information contact:

Viviana Arroyave, Director of Communications | +57 3176469218 |varroyave@odinsa.com

Visit www.odinsa.com and our social networks @SomosOdinsa on Twitter|Odinsa on LinkedIn