RECONSTRUCTION of Sliač airport will begin in 2007 according to the needs of the Slovak Air Force. Financial aid for the work will come from NATO, Slovak Air Force Commander Jozef Dunaj announced March 27.
Dunaj said that the runway is close to the end of its service life and requires reconstruction, which will cost Sk2 billion (€51.6 million). NATO experts proposed the modernization of the air traffic control tower, lighting system and runways during an inspection in 2004, the TASR news agency wrote.
Once modernized, Dunaj expects the airport to be used for civilian purposes under an agreement between the transport and defence ministries. NATO is to defray half the cost but will not make a final decision until after the completion of its planning process in August 2006.
