Krisjanis Peters, SJSC RIGA International Airport Chairman of the board says: “The runaway field is a backbone of any airport. Our new landing field actually means a new beginning for the RIGAInternational airport. Today we open a landing field – the main precondition for the airport to function properly in the future; already next year we will start just as important task – the construction of a new airport building. The new 3200 meters long runaway will let the people of the Baltic’s reach even more destinations making traveling more comfortable, faster and wider. RIGA International airport is situated at the crossing point between East and West. This is a strategically important communication center, whereas we have an opportunity to develop international air traffic. I believe that soon we will witness the landing of unseen before airplanes form all over the world here – in RIGA International airport.”
According to the plan, the runaway has been extended by 650 meters reaching the total length of 3200 meters. The new extended runaway allows the RIGA International Airport to serve the intercontinental flights without any limitations landing even the biggest airplanes, including “Airbus A 340” and “Boeing” 747, 757, 767 and 777. The nearest runaways of a similar capacity can be fount at “Arlanda” airport in Stocholm and at “Vantaa” airport in Helsinki, which also serve intercontinental flights.
The extension of the runaway and reconstruction of the related illumination system started in May 2007 and included teamwork of five companies:
“Firma L4” – general contractor for runaway extension, maneuvering way, reconstruction of illumination systems and water drainage construction;
“SC&A” – extension of the runaway, maneuvering way;
“A.C.B.” – electrical installations including the illumination systems;
“Leminkainen Lemcon” – water drainage and rain collection systems;
“HoneyWell Airport Systems GmbH” from Germany – provision of illumination equipment for the reconstruction of illumination systems.
The total cost of the project equals 23.5 million euro, with 16.5 million coming from European Union Cohesion Fund joint financing.