newstodate.aero
Oct 20, 2011 (newstodate): The Latvian airport of Ventspils is to see its runway extended - but the project is delayed.
Plans are to extend the airport's runway from 1,500 to 1,500 meters, later to grow to 1,800 meters allowing for traffic with larger aircraft, and works were initially planned to start from early 2011, with commissioning of the runway expected by the end of the year.
But these plans have now been revised.
-We have run into some snags with bureaucracy, and given also the problems with construction works during the winter period we have again revised the time frame, says Ints Selis, Ventspils International Airport Chairman of the Board.
-We are now expecting to start work on the runway by spring 2012, and the runway will then be ready for operations either by the end of 2012 or by early 2013.
-With the very short runway we have not been able to attract much traffic except for GA and occasional charters. With the extended runway hopes are rising to see new traffic here, probably in the low-cost segment as well as more charter operations.
-We would of course also like to see also our national carrier, airBaltic at Ventspils that was actually linked by airBaltic to Riga during a brief period in 2008. The flights were subsidized by the Latvian state but proved unsustainable in those days, anyhow, says Mr Selis.
Plans are to extend the airport's runway from 1,500 to 1,500 meters, later to grow to 1,800 meters allowing for traffic with larger aircraft, and works were initially planned to start from early 2011, with commissioning of the runway expected by the end of the year.
But these plans have now been revised.
-We have run into some snags with bureaucracy, and given also the problems with construction works during the winter period we have again revised the time frame, says Ints Selis, Ventspils International Airport Chairman of the Board.
-We are now expecting to start work on the runway by spring 2012, and the runway will then be ready for operations either by the end of 2012 or by early 2013.
-With the very short runway we have not been able to attract much traffic except for GA and occasional charters. With the extended runway hopes are rising to see new traffic here, probably in the low-cost segment as well as more charter operations.
-We would of course also like to see also our national carrier, airBaltic at Ventspils that was actually linked by airBaltic to Riga during a brief period in 2008. The flights were subsidized by the Latvian state but proved unsustainable in those days, anyhow, says Mr Selis.