Fogo: Lighting of the runway at the São Filipe airfield is a commitment but the extent will depend on studies – Prime Minister
Lighting the runway at the São Filipe airfield is a commitment from the Government and is being agreed with Vinci to allow the infrastructure to be operational longer and relieve pressure on the operator.
The guarantee was left today by the Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, when he visited the extension and renovation work on the passenger terminal building currently underway, in the company of the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Carlos Santos and other members of the Government who are on the island.
“Lighting is a priority. The length of the runway depends on technical studies and assessments. The information we have is that there are obstacles and just to create conditions for the extension of the runway (demolition of the mountains) and to allow the extension, we are talking about more than 100 million euros, more than ten million escudos”, said the first -minister, adding that it is something that the Government can engage in, but it does not constitute a priority.
“The São Filipe airfield is under construction and will be delivered in September with much more quality and functionality with separation of the arrival and departure terminals, the fire department, food court areas and bars with quality, conveyor belt. We are going to have a much better airfield”, emphasized the Prime Minister, indicating that the work will continue to transform this infrastructure that is a reference on the island and that is important for tourism and for the convenience of movement of people, in addition to valuing the island that it has many connectivities and decongests the level of responses for flights to the island of Fogo.
During the visit, he noted that he had received information that in September it could be completed since the works are very advanced and the materials are practically on the island, with the construction still to be completed, hoping that from September he will be able to inaugurate this great undertaking.
“The important thing is that the work will be completed with quality, Fogo will have a much more functional and modern airfield with greater dignity”, highlighted Ulisses Correia e Silva.
The interventions consist of the construction of a new arrival terminal and space for firefighters and the renovation and expansion of the old departure and arrival terminal, which becomes just for departures and with more capacity, with an internal bar and restaurant, in addition to the expansion and transformation from the VIP room, creating better conditions.
The works for the extension and renovation of the passenger terminal building, including the modern equipment that will be installed, represent an investment of over 200 million escudos, according to the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Carlos Santos.
