newstodate.aero

Jul 02, 2024 (newstodate): Riga Airport has secured EU's co-financing of its ambitious aerodrome reconstruction project over the next few years
   The project includes the complete reconstruction of Apron 4 to provide a dual-use TEN-T infrastructure for civil and military purposes.
   The contract with EU provides for the reconstruction of the hard surface of Apron 4 over 80,000 m2, creating ten class A-E aircraft parking areas that can be used in different configurations, as well as taxiways and maintenance lanes.
   The project will also include the construction of a power supply substation with two independent input connections for the lighting of Apron 4 and the supply of electricity to aircraft parking areas in accordance with the latest EU requirements, the creation of areas for the storage of aircraft maintenance equipment in the areas adjacent to the apron, the creation of an aerodrome lighting system, the reconstruction of lighting poles and floodlights, the installation of a new video surveillance system and associated power lines, as well as a rainwater drainage system.
   -The Apron 4 reconstruction project will allow Riga Airport to increase the number of aircraft parking spaces to meet future demand, to expand the cargo handling area even further and to promote military mobility, which is particularly important in the current geopolitical situation.  
   -With the development of civil and military cargo handling and railway infrastructure at aprons 4 and 5, it will be important in the future that Class C, D and E aircraft can be handled and allocated parking spaces, says Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport, in a release.
   The reconstruction of Apron 4, dating back to the 1970'ies, will be completed by 2027.
   Riga Airport's development strategy envisages the creation of a cargo city in the area of aprons 4 and 5, where a specialized cargo handling apron was launched in October 2020, followed by the opening of a 6,000 m2 regional parcel handling and logistics centre of the logistics company DHL in 2021.  
   In addition, airBaltic has now started the construction of a 6,895 m2 Baltic Cargo Hub logistics centre for cargo handling, increasing airBaltic's handling capacity at its Riga hub to up to 45,000 tonnes of cargo annually, and slated for opening in 2025.