The construction of the new passenger terminal in the Bratislava airport, with the subsequent reconstruction of the current terminal, officially began on December 16. Prime Minister Robert Fico voiced the belief that despite the problems with the financial crisis, the project of the Bratislava airport will be successful.
Fico emphasised that by launching the construction of the new terminal, his government is fulfilling the promise it made after its decision to halt the prepared privatisation of this airport. The airport’s capacity should double from the current 2.6 million to five million passengers annually. ZIPP Bratislava won the tender with estimated price at Sk2.8 billion (€92.94 million) excluding VAT, since of three bids, the company submitted the cheapest at Sk2.588 billion (€85.91 million) excluding VAT. The construction of the new terminal should be completed in May 2010 and the reconstruction of the current terminal in February 2010.
The Finance Ministry approved the funding of the terminal construction at the planned volume of roughly Sk2.9 billion (€96.26 million). The state budget will provide Sk2.1 billion (€69.71 million). The airport is to pay the remaining Sk800 million (€26.55 million) through a loan it will take up from banks. Fico considers an underground railway track, as well as extension of the current tram track, an indispensable part of the airport's development. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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