The European Commission on 25 July approved the large Cohesion Fund (CF) project „Riga International Airport Infrastructure Development”, the goal of which is to create safe and efficient air transport infrastructure answering the needs of the growing air traffic turnover.
Uldis Augulis, Minister of Transport, said: „Implementation of this ambitious infrastructure development project at Riga International Airport will result in the increase of the airport’s capacity and boosting of its competitiveness in the European aviation market.”
The project includes renovation of the runway pavement (the length of 2,470 m and width of 45 m); strengthening of the runway strip, construction of an additional taxiway, modernisation of the aerodrome lighting system in order to facilitate aircraft landing and take-off in unfavourable weather conditions and emergency situations. It is also planned to expand and renovate the existing aprons, build two aircraft de-icing platforms, reconstruct the storm water and underground drainage system and make various other infrastructure improvements.
Total costs of the project are estimated at 66 945 228 lats, of which co-financing of the Cohesion Fund amounts to 41 114 034 lats.
The project implementation was commenced on 25 February 2011 SJSC Riga International Airport by signing an agreement on the planning works with the company Nams/COWI Latvia/Aviaplan to be completed in November of this year. The construction works will be commenced in 2012.
The project approved by the EC is part of the EU funding programme „Infrastructure and Services”.