newstodate.aero
MAR 08, 2005 (newstodate): The Faroe Islands do need a modern and efficient airport, including better runway facilities to accomodate larger aircraft without weight penalties, says Jan Mortensen, Holuse of Industry managing director.
-But it is not just lack of infrastructure that reflects into stagnation in the airport's figures. The country's current economic situation is marked by stagnation that also does not contribute to a positive growth, he says.
-The value of the country's import has declined by some 15 percent over the last six months, no so much in consumer goods, but rather in capital goods destined for the industries.
-The general decline in notably the fish and the off-shore industries has resulted in less orders to the support industries, and consequently less imports of capital goods as well.
-As the Faroe Islands are quite near to the British Isles, most of the fish export goes by ship, and I would expect this to be further increased. The Faroese fish industry has been less able than other producers to adopt to the challenges from globalisation, so the European markets will continue to play the upper hand despite strong and growing competition.
-But we still cannot survive in the future without an efficient airport and a developed traffic system, also including air cargo services, so we strongly support all efforts to improve operational conditions at Vagar Airport, says Jan Mortensen.
-Still it seems to an "egg-and-hen" issue; no freighter operator dares to commit himself to the market unless our exporters commit themselves to support the freighter service. So far this has grounded efforts by both Atlantic Airways and Maersk Air, but we will hopefully break the vicious circle one day when an efficient airport has been secured, he says.
-But it is not just lack of infrastructure that reflects into stagnation in the airport's figures. The country's current economic situation is marked by stagnation that also does not contribute to a positive growth, he says.
-The value of the country's import has declined by some 15 percent over the last six months, no so much in consumer goods, but rather in capital goods destined for the industries.
-The general decline in notably the fish and the off-shore industries has resulted in less orders to the support industries, and consequently less imports of capital goods as well.
-As the Faroe Islands are quite near to the British Isles, most of the fish export goes by ship, and I would expect this to be further increased. The Faroese fish industry has been less able than other producers to adopt to the challenges from globalisation, so the European markets will continue to play the upper hand despite strong and growing competition.
-But we still cannot survive in the future without an efficient airport and a developed traffic system, also including air cargo services, so we strongly support all efforts to improve operational conditions at Vagar Airport, says Jan Mortensen.
-Still it seems to an "egg-and-hen" issue; no freighter operator dares to commit himself to the market unless our exporters commit themselves to support the freighter service. So far this has grounded efforts by both Atlantic Airways and Maersk Air, but we will hopefully break the vicious circle one day when an efficient airport has been secured, he says.