newstodate.aero
Feb 25, 2014 (newstodate): The project for upgrading Latvia's Liepaja Airport is already running three years late - but now things will start to move.
Already in 2010 the airport was cleared by the Latvian state to apply for EU support for a project to upgrade its infrastructure, and the funding was granted in 2011.
The project for re-development now includes the renovation the existing 2,002m runway, installation of new runway lighting system, new apron, new taxi runway and similar infrastructural issues, while the earlier plan for an extension of the runway by a further 300m has been postponed due to financial strains.
-We completed the technical design phase in December 2013 and we are now readying to start the tendering phase for construction works by March, says Agris Sprude, Liepaja International Airport Director.
-The tendering process will hopefully be concluded in April or May at the latest, allowing us to start construction works by June 2014.
-The construction period will last until June 2015, and the airport will be closed for all operations until then to allow for the construction works to be operated as smoothly as possible.
-When the construction has been completed, we will then apply for the operational certificates that may be granted by August 2015 if everything performs as planned. Only then can we start to work on airlines to attract scheduled traffic to Liepaja International Airport.
-With the renovated runway we can handle traffic by aircraft with up to 100 seats without restrictions, while larger aircraft like Boeing 737-800 or Airbus A320 will still require operational limitations.
-Hopes are of course that we may see airBaltic returning services to our airport with aircraft like Bombardier Dash 8.
-We would still be keen to see our runway expanded by 300m to allow for operations with larger aircraft which would open up for low-cost carriers. But this remains in the future, says Mr Sprude.
Already in 2010 the airport was cleared by the Latvian state to apply for EU support for a project to upgrade its infrastructure, and the funding was granted in 2011.
The project for re-development now includes the renovation the existing 2,002m runway, installation of new runway lighting system, new apron, new taxi runway and similar infrastructural issues, while the earlier plan for an extension of the runway by a further 300m has been postponed due to financial strains.
-We completed the technical design phase in December 2013 and we are now readying to start the tendering phase for construction works by March, says Agris Sprude, Liepaja International Airport Director.
-The tendering process will hopefully be concluded in April or May at the latest, allowing us to start construction works by June 2014.
-The construction period will last until June 2015, and the airport will be closed for all operations until then to allow for the construction works to be operated as smoothly as possible.
-When the construction has been completed, we will then apply for the operational certificates that may be granted by August 2015 if everything performs as planned. Only then can we start to work on airlines to attract scheduled traffic to Liepaja International Airport.
-With the renovated runway we can handle traffic by aircraft with up to 100 seats without restrictions, while larger aircraft like Boeing 737-800 or Airbus A320 will still require operational limitations.
-Hopes are of course that we may see airBaltic returning services to our airport with aircraft like Bombardier Dash 8.
-We would still be keen to see our runway expanded by 300m to allow for operations with larger aircraft which would open up for low-cost carriers. But this remains in the future, says Mr Sprude.