newstodate.aero
Apr 19, 2013 (newstodate): Despite EU funds granted, Latvia's Liepaja International Airport, 210 km west of Riga, is way behind the schedule for a much-needed upgrading of its technical facilities.
-The local politicians are eager to see this project realized as it would mean a significant boost to the region's businesses, the port and not least the touristic development. The problem is rather that the national politicians and government in Riga attaches less importance to this in competition with more pressing tasks, says Agris Sprude, Liepaja International Airport Director.
-Very belatedly, we are now in the design phase, and expect this to be completed within two or three months. At best, start of project would then be in 2014.
-As time has lapsed, costs of the project has risen, so we would now need an extra 1.5 mio Lats above earlier calculations which will also become a problem. In the meantime, we are only operating general aviation business, says Mr Sprude.
In September 2010 Liepaja Airport was cleared by the Latvian state to apply for EU support for a project to upgrade its infrastructure.
The project for re-development includes the renovation the runway to increase its bearing and extension by 300 m to 2,300 m, as well as upgrading of its currently obsolete runway lighting system.
Hopes were to start construction works by spring 2011, with completion of the projects by the end of 2011.
-The local politicians are eager to see this project realized as it would mean a significant boost to the region's businesses, the port and not least the touristic development. The problem is rather that the national politicians and government in Riga attaches less importance to this in competition with more pressing tasks, says Agris Sprude, Liepaja International Airport Director.
-Very belatedly, we are now in the design phase, and expect this to be completed within two or three months. At best, start of project would then be in 2014.
-As time has lapsed, costs of the project has risen, so we would now need an extra 1.5 mio Lats above earlier calculations which will also become a problem. In the meantime, we are only operating general aviation business, says Mr Sprude.
In September 2010 Liepaja Airport was cleared by the Latvian state to apply for EU support for a project to upgrade its infrastructure.
The project for re-development includes the renovation the runway to increase its bearing and extension by 300 m to 2,300 m, as well as upgrading of its currently obsolete runway lighting system.
Hopes were to start construction works by spring 2011, with completion of the projects by the end of 2011.