Argentina. In less than seven months of work, the first stage of the new passenger terminal of Comodoro Rivadavia was inaugurated. The Minister of Transport of the Nation, Guillermo Dietrich, toured the new facilities accompanied by the governor of the province, Mariano Arcioni, and the mayor of Comodoro Rivadavia, Carlos Linares. The advances comprise 60% of the total transformation.
"This new step in the modernization of Chubut's airports is another example of the transformation we are experiencing towards the Argentina that we all want, which is that of development. The works, fundamental for this, no longer have partisan color criteria; Chubut lived and suffered in the first person that way of doing politics. Today, on the other hand, the government works federally and thinking about the works that improve the quality of life of Argentines." - Guillermo Dietrich, Minister of Transportation of the Nation.
As of today, the new departure hall has 12 new Check-In counters; there is a new gastronomic sector and a new Arrivals Hall with two new luggage belts. On the top floor, part of the new Pre-Boarding sector already works with an area of 1000m² with two boarding gates and a new sleeve, allowing and facilitating the access of passengers between the terminal and the planes, without having to go out into the open, especially in an area where low temperatures and wind gusts predominate. Expansion and modernization works continue, including a second round that will allow the operation of two simultaneous flights.
As part of this first stage, the new technical building and an access control post to the platform were also built to increase the operational security of the airport. In addition, progress is being made in the new vehicle parking, which is almost finished, allowing to expand its capacity from 250 to 573 garages, that is, more than double.
In the second stage, which has already begun, the old terminal will be demolished to make way for the final expansion of the airport, preserving and moving the mural by the artist Dolores Ocampo de Morón, made in 1990. These works will include the expansion of the Public Hall on the Ground Floor, with new access and new commercial premises, increasing the offer of services for the 300 thousand passengers that the airport receives every year.
In addition, a suitcase yard will be built, with a new baggage belt, and a new Customs, Migration and Senasa control sector will be incorporated, with their respective operational offices. Some 520m² will also be added to the Departure Lounge, completing a total of 4 doors, which will allow cabotage and international flights to be handled simultaneously. And there will also be a new confectionery and new bathrooms.
It is estimated that from February next year the terminal will be completed in its entirety, with a total area of 6,500 m² (the old terminal has 4,200 m²).
From the second half of this year, the reconstruction of the runway will begin -a fundamental work for the safety of landings and takeoffs-, as well as various improvements in the taxiways and the commercial platform, also renewing the entire beaconing system. It will be the second runway to be rebuilt in the province, after Trelew. At the national level it is track number nine: works have already been completed in Chapelco, Tucumán, Mendoza and in the two tracks of Ezeiza; currently those of Iguazú and Salta are being transformed.
Argentina's first sustainable airport
The work of Comodoro Rivadavia brings a novelty: it will be the first sustainable airport in the country. The entire new terminal is being built to comply with LEED guidelines.
In total, all the modernization that will be carried out by the Ministry of Transport of the Nation together with Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 implies a total investment of $ 1,500 million pesos and will generate approximately 900 jobs. Thus, the Comodoro airport will be completely transformed, with better operational security, a wide range of services and a greater capacity to receive more flights and tourists, enhancing the south of our country.
This is part of the Airplane Revolution, from which the infrastructure and technology of 30 airports throughout the country will be transformed, to accompany the growth of passengers that the sector is experiencing. According to statistical data prepared by the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA), from the Integrated Aviation System (SIAC), last March 1.2 million passengers traveled on commercial cabotage flights, which represents 16% more than the same month of 2017.
Source: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/quedo-inaugurado-el-nuevo-aeropuerto-de-comodoro-rivadavia
