The main runway of Ezeiza International Airport came back into service last Monday after a two-month halt for repairs and reconstruction in the framework of the integral transformation plan implemented by the Transport Ministry together with the concessionaire of the works, Aeropuertos Argentina 2000.

The same work has already been carried out on the secondary runway. This work ensures the complete safety of take-offs and landings as part of the Ezeiza Master Plan. Once this overhaul is concluded, the capacity of the terminal will be expanded with new facilities for the operation of more aircraft and increased services.

Details of the works

The Transport Ministry points out that the improvements consist of repaving the runway, repairing the approaches and renewing the signal beacon system with LED technology, which improves visibility, enhances safety and saves energy. A useful life of 20 years is projected, guaranteeing the safety of operations throughout the length (3.3 kilometres) and breadth  (60 metres) of the runway.

The last work on the main runway had been back in 2002, thus resulting in an eroded paved surface with cracks and ruts.

The intersection between the runway and the future Cabecera 35 approach has also been built. The latter will be completely new, permitting aircraft direct access to the extreme south of the secondary runway, the position of Cabecera 35, without touching the main runway, which substantially improves occupancy times, thus optimizing capacity.

Integral transformation

Altogether the works for the integral modernization of Ezeiza are to be completed in a three-year period (2016-2019) with an estimated investment of over six billion pesos, which will be jointly financed by the Transport Ministry and the concessionaire Aeropuertos Argentina 2000.

The transformation also includes completing the work on the new control tower, the second stage of the new pre-embarkment halls in Terminal A, whose first spaces were already inaugurated last year and the construction of a new departure building, which will be fundamental for improving the capacity and functioning of the airport, among other things.

A new parking-lot with 1,700 spaces has been announced. This is vital for an airport which lacks proper connections to the public transport system and whose capacity for leaving a car under a roof is extremely limited.