The Council of Ministers approved on Wednesday, September 9th 2021, by proposal of the Minister for Presidency, Economy and Enterprise, Jordi Gallardo, the Public tender criteria offering new flights form the Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell airport to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas airport during 2022.
The aim being to strengthen and improve the Principality´s connections and – once the Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell airport has received all authorizations allowing it to guarantee commercial operations– this is why the Government is looking to establish regular flights allowing to connect the country with European airports, whilst also being ones that ensure a wider connection with other European destinations.
Therefore, interested companies can present an offer in order to obtain a retribution form the Andorran Government that will allow them to ensure economic feasibility during the first year of exploitation of these commercial passenger flights. The budget is the maximum to be paid in case of not selling a stipulated minimum number of seats, the Government´s aid will be gradually discounted starting from the stated minimum number of passengers.
The tender establishes that the bidding companies must fully comply with the criteria requirements, and present a business plan as well as a financial offer for providing the flight service between January 2022 and December 2022 with, at least, two weekly flights to the Madrid airport. In addition, the bidding company can offer to start the flights from the Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell airport in December 2021, coinciding with the start of the ski season.
With regards to the admitting of bids, accreditation will have to be provided for questions such as holding a license for aerial exploitation issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 by the European Parliament and Council or holding a European Air Operators Certificate (AOC) or equivalent document issued by a competent authority in the country of origin.
In addition, bidders will have to engage to operating from the Andorra – La Seu d’Urgell airport at least twice a week using ATR Aircraft with at least 48 seats for a period of a year between January 2022 and December 2022. Bidders can make proposals which are superior to the stated minimums, for instance, increasing frequency or by adding seasonal destinations. Candidate companies must provide a proven history of programmed operations with ATR planes for at least five years.
Among the adjudication criteria, the possibility to connect with other airline companies to other destinations will be taken into consideration once the plane has arrived in Madrid from Andorra; marketing capabilities to reach potential customers in Madrid and Andorra and commercial distribution; or the size of the fleet and ability to respond to non-programmed operational interruptions.
It is an International Public Tender by open process and of an urgent awarding nature. The urgency was applied to allow for commercialization of flights included in winter ski package holidays for the 2021-2022 season. Interested companies have time to present their bids until the 30th of September 2021 at 11 o´clock, to the Servei de Tràmits in the Administration Building of the Government.
The criteria is available for free download at www.tramits.ad and www.e-tramits.ad or can also be picked up at the Servei de Tràmits. If picked up at the Servei de Tràmits, it will be provided in printed copy or on a memory drive in accordance to current public prices. If a paper copy is requested, it will be provided the day after the request has been made. For further information one may contact the Ministry for Presidency, Economy and Enterprise.
The winning airline company will sign a contract with the Government of Andorra a week after the adjudication decision has been taken by the Government of Andorra at the latest.
Text and photo: Govern d’Andorra
