On 29 May a press conference was held at Riga International Airport regarding the construction works commenced on 1 May 2013 in the framework of the project „Development of Riga International Airport Infrastructure”. The press conference was attended by Anrijs Matīss, Minister of Transport, Aldis Mūrnieks, Chairman of the Board of Riga Airport, and Edmunds Zonbergs, representative of PS „FCC, Hochtief un ACB”.
Minister of Transport Anrijs Matīss: „The project focussing on upgrading of the airport infrastructure is vital both for the airport and our country. Riga Airport already today handles almost as many passengers as Tallinn, Vilnius and Kaunas taken together, demonstrating our dominance as the Baltic aviation hub. It is important not to stop and relax, the development of the airport must go on in order to stabilise our position and improve our competitiveness in the aviation market. We are aware of the fact that the current investments will be the largest in the history of this airport since its opening in 1974, therefore we shall see to it that they help achieve our goals!”
„Both passengers and airlines will benefit from the implementation of this airport infrastructure development project,” said Aldis Mūrnieks, Chairman of the Board of Riga International Airport, „the result of the project will be the increased aerodrome capacity, greater airport safety and better protected environment.”
It has already been mentioned before that the following works will be carried out in the period until 31 August 2014:
• renovation of the runway pavement;
• improvement of the runway strip and the runway end safety area;
• construction of two new taxiways;
• modernisation of the runway lighting system;
• reconstruction of the storm water and aerodrome drainage system;
• reconstruction of Aprons 2 and 3;
• construction of two new anti-icing pads;
• construction of a vehicle washing hangar;
• construction of a waste collection site;
• introduction of CAT II lighting system on the taxiways.
The project „Riga International Airport Infrastructure Development” is funded by the European Union. Total costs of the project amount to 81 million lats. The project is co-financed by the EU Cohesion Fund in the amount of LVL 41 114 034, while the share of the Latvian State budget is LVL 8 255 847. The remaining amount is contributed by the airport.
On 1 November 2012, SJSC Riga International Airport signed an agreement with the winner of a restricted tender procedure PS „FCC, Hochtief un ACB” – on construction works in the infrastructure development project.
In the period of the construction works the runway of Riga Airport will be closed for flights from 24.00 until 6.00 in the morning.
Photographs from the press conference are available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/95173548@N06/sets/72157633784418370/
Elīna Krastiņa
Head of Communications
SJSC Riga International Airport
T: +371 67207694
GSM: +371 27794799
[email protected]
www.riga-airport.com