And international airports, while we're at it!   

Article (in Spanish): http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/look/a...ue=720&NrSection=1&NrArticle=25297

According to this link, Aeronáutica Civil will build a new airport in Quetzaltenango, which is located to the west and is the second largest city of the country. The works will start on July 21, on the site where the current airstrip is located; it is expected to be completed by December.

Additionally, the airstrip in Puerto San José, in the Pacific coast, will be upgraded to become an international airport. Both airports will have the capacity for airplanes up to B737/A320.

But there's even more... For 2007 there are plans to build more airstrips, or remodel the existing ones, in different places such as Retalhuleu and Puerto Barrios (this one in the Caribbean coast).

More links, again in Spanish:
http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2006/junio/30/145579.html
http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2006/julio/05/146014.html

Between this and the works in La Aurora, I can only say this is a great year for aviation in Guatemala!

Saludos   
Carmen

Great news Carmen.

Is a also a great way for TA to expand their routes.

Does Guatemala have any stretches of beachfront that could sustain a cluster of "all-inclusive" resorts as they have in Mexico or elsewhere in the greater region? Just looking at the physical map tells me it is a possibility. The political and business climate there now is such that it could happen.

Yay! I absolutely love Guatemala and this indeed expand the opportunities for tourism and business alike.

I remember in my Allegro Airlines ground staff days, flying to Aurora several times to pay for ground handling fees on charter flights. How I miss Pollo Campero! Also got the chance to go to Flores and spending the day with the crew on its narrow and quiet streets. Ahhh the times!

RM  

Good news to hear that Guatemala is investing in infrastructure. I hope this will bring more tourism and benefits to a country that has so much potential. One day I'll have to visit you in Guatemala. Do you promise to show me around if I go, Carmen? We'll have lots of fun, I promise!


   LatinPlane <---CarmenLu15's friend

Wonderful news Carmen! What are the works going on in La Aurora? Do you know if the airport has a website? La Aurora is a great name for an airport, especially considering the meaning of the word in Spanish.

Quoting Latinplane (Reply 4): Do you promise to show me around if I go, Carmen? We'll have lots of fun, I promise! LatinPlane <---CarmenLu15's friend

LOL... Latinplane, stop hitting on Carmen! She is very nice to all of us, but it seems you have a crush on her my friend!   

None of the new airports is within 75Km from Guatemala City?
I ask because given GUA lack of space to grow, an airport up to 75Km away may be good candidate to become GUA replacement.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 6): I ask because given GUA lack of space to grow,

"El 14 de abril de 2005, Guatemala inicio formalmente el proceso de modernización integral de su Sistema Aeroportuario, enfocado principalmente en una mejora sustancial en infraestructura y seguridad operacional, tanto en aeródromos y pistas locales, como en sus principales Aeropuertos Internacionales. El Proyecto de Ampliación, Remodelación y Modernización del Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora, se convierte en el símbolo de todo este proceso, que en conjunto se ha denominado PLAN NUEVA AURORA, el cual empezó con el desarrollo de un esquema integral de asesoria internacional conducido por la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional – OACI - "

Source:
http://www.dgacguate.com/dgac/index...._content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=68

good...............more goat cheese to download in IAH      

Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 7): "El 14 de abril de 2005, Guatemala inicio formalmente el proceso de modernización integral de su Sistema Aeroportuario, enfocado principalmente en una mejora sustancial en infraestructura y seguridad operacional, tanto en aeródromos y pistas locales, como en sus principales Aeropuertos Internacionales. El Proyecto de Ampliación, Remodelación y Modernización del Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora, se convierte en el símbolo de todo este proceso, que en conjunto se ha denominado PLAN NUEVA AURORA, el cual empezó con el desarrollo de un esquema integral de asesoria internacional conducido por la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional -- OACI - "

Nice quote.
I've been to GUA often and the area of that airport doesn't have room for 10 more jeatways (in case they would need them) together with a decent-sized / functional cargo terminal. Let's be realistic, there is a limit on how much improvement could be done in airports like GUA and SJO given the confined area they're in. City airports are quite convenient (sorry to think that San José should make better use of their Pavas Airport); but for major international traffic airports like TGU, GUA and SJO should learn from what the Salvadoreans did with their Ilopango airport, the original SAL.

Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 2): Does Guatemala have any stretches of beachfront that could sustain a cluster of "all-inclusive" resorts as they have in Mexico or elsewhere in the greater region? Just looking at the physical map tells me it is a possibility. The political and business climate there now is such that it could happen.

Only if they keep their claim on Belize   ......seriously... I think that there are some stretches around Barrios.

Having been to Guatemala, I'd say that the Pacific Coast of the country has loads of potential, but I'd hate to see it all built-up and turned into a cement & concrete monster like the Costa del Sol in Spain. It's so beautiful, peaceful, laid-back and relaxing as it is, why ruin it?

I have also been to Livingston on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and I was not impressed. The place is so filthy, yet of course, it has lots and lots of charm to offer to visitors and locals alike. I think that the Caribbean coast of Guatemala around Livingston would be a great place to build resorts similar to the ones in nearby Mexico. Having said that, I think that it is of utmost important to develop only the filthy zones of the area and preserve as much as possible the natural environment in the region, which is really so unique and impressive.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 9): but for major international traffic airports like TGU, GUA and SJO should learn from what the Salvadoreans did with their Ilopango airport, the original SAL.

Actually SAL is the best airport in the isthmus.

Quoting TACAA320 (Reply 12): Actually SAL is the best airport in the isthmus.

I was refering to Ilopango Airport, which had the IATA code SAL until the new San Salvador airport (thatone which is a goodone) started to operate.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 9): I've been to GUA often and the area of that airport doesn't have room for 10 more jeatways (in case they would need them) together with a decent-sized / functional cargo terminal.

They will be using Hipodromo del Sur to expand, so there is space to have 18 gates.

There really isn't to much information regarding the improvements they are making to the airport, they are going to finish the parking lot they are building this month and start constructing the new wings of the terminal late this month, at least this are the plans

Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 2):

There are some resorts but not to many, the have some in Antigua Guatemala, Panajachel, Puerto de San Jose and Puerto Barrios.

Quoting BBADXB (Reply 11): Having been to Guatemala, I'd say that the Pacific Coast of the country has loads of potential, but I'd hate to see it all built-up and turned into a cement & concrete monster like the Costa del Sol in Spain. It's so beautiful, peaceful, laid-back and relaxing as it is, why ruin it?

Have to agree here. While this is great for Guatemalan people and the economy, I would selfishly hate to see the resulting overdevelopment of this beautiful country. The Puerto Barrios/Livingston area is particularly charming in part because it's so inaccessible (looong ride on the chicken bus).

What is wrong with Quetzeltenango's current airport? I know TA flies there now. Does TA want to add more service that the current facilities can't handle?

However, I'm a little hypocritical, because I would never have made it up to Tikal if it weren't for FRS and Tikal Jets. Unrelated note, how is CO's IAH-FRS route doing? I'm still surprised CO does that route.

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 13): I was refering to Ilopango Airport,

I was refering to the "actual" one [Comalapa]. That's why I said "actually".

Quoting Juanchito (Reply 14): There are some resorts but not to many, the have some in Antigua Guatemala, Panajachel, Puerto de San Jose and Puerto Barrios.

The later sounds catchy enough! Similar to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) on Mexico's Pacific Riviera, or Puerto Plata (POP) along the Dominican Republic's north shore.  !

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 13): (thatone which is a goodone)

Once again, the best.

Quoting NYCFlyer (Reply 15): What is wrong with Quetzeltenango's current airport? I know TA flies there now. Does TA want to add more service that the current facilities can't handle?

The Quetzaltenango airport is unpaved and Taca used to fly with some C-208 from Inter but they stop long ago.

Juanchito

Quoting SFOMEX (Reply 5): LOL... Latinplane, stop hitting on Carmen! She is very nice to all of us, but it seems you have a crush on her my friend!

Being friendly to someone doesn't necessarily have to mean one is trying to have something with that person.



  LatinPlane

Found some pictures taken to see how the airport will be when they finalized the construction





The following picture is from a student from Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala, he made a project. I could be really nice to se an airport like this.



Regards

Juanchito

Is there a space for a project like the second picture?

This is good news for Guatemala! I really hope this helps it's aviation industry and help to boost capacity from Mexico-Guatemala. It would be great to see Tikal Jets back to MEX as well as Aviacsa or Azteca going south!!! If they take long... Volaris sure will launch TLC-GUA.

Forgot to ask... what's GUA's current capacity in terms of millions and what will it be now with the new construction going on?

ghooost77 APM

[Edited 2006-07-08 03:30:44]

If GUA new improved La Auroa Airport is going to look like the photos in post #21, Even if only with one pier, It's going to be a pretty, pretty airport.
As for the second picture (University project) that student better be sending that project to one of the Persian Gulf states, they sure have the money to spend on "art-airports".

Quoting Ghost77 (Reply 22): Forgot to ask... what's GUA's current capacity in terms of millions and what will it be now with the new construction going on?

Don't know what the capacity of GUA is, I think it was 1.5 Million.

Here is an extract from a press release from January this year when the project begun.

Link in spansih
http://www.guatemala.gob.gt/index.php/cms/content/view/full/1409

Demand is about 1.8 - Million
Fase 1 - 2.9 Million
Fase 2 - 4.7 Million
Fase 3 - 7.0 Million

Juanchito

Quoting Latinplane (Reply 4): One day I'll have to visit you in Guatemala. Do you promise to show me around if I go, Carmen? We'll have lots of fun, I promise!

Of course, my friend... In fact, everyone is invited to come to Guate, and I'll gladly show you around (with the mandatory stop at Pollo Campero)... as long as you pay your own bills. Remember, tourism is about bringing foreign investment in the country, not making the locals spend their money. 

Quoting SFOMEX (Reply 5): LOL... Latinplane, stop hitting on Carmen!

And you guys wonder why there are very few women on a.net...  

Quoting SFOMEX (Reply 5): Wonderful news Carmen! What are the works going on in La Aurora? Do you know if the airport has a website?

The airport itself doesn't, but there's some info on the Aeronáutica Civil page: http://www.dgacguate.com/dgac/index.php

Quoting Latinplane (Reply 20): Being friendly to someone doesn't necessarily have to mean one is trying to have something with that person.

  

Quoting Juanchito (Reply 21): The following picture is from a student from Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala, he made a project. I could be really nice to se an airport like this.

Se vale soñar...  

Quoting 2travel2know (Reply 23): If GUA new improved La Auroa Airport is going to look like the photos in post #21, Even if only with one pier, It's going to be a pretty, pretty airport.

Indeed. And, according to the plans, the airport will have the capacity to handle widebodies (B747/A340). Hopefully we will see an increase in traffic, especially from Europe...

Quoting Latinplane (Reply 20): Being friendly to someone doesn't necessarily have to mean one is trying to have something with that person.

I know! I was being silly, that's all. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough.   

Quoting Carmenlu15 (Reply 25): Quoting Juanchito (Reply 21): The following picture is from a student from Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala, he made a project. I could be really nice to se an airport like this. Se vale soñar...

Indeed, but let's remain hopeful that sooner rather than later we will see airports like that in America Latina!

Quoting SFOMEX (Reply 26): Indeed, but let's remain hopeful that sooner rather than later we will see airports like that in America Latina!

  

And speaking of airports, the first phase of remodeling at GUA is supposed to be completed by the 1st half of 2007. However, the other day I read that after the first phase, there would still be some requirements to be met before we can be upgraded to CAT I status. Anyone has more info on when would we be finally eligible for CAT I?

Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 2): Does Guatemala have any stretches of beachfront that could sustain a cluster of "all-inclusive" resorts as they have in Mexico or elsewhere in the greater region? Just looking at the physical map tells me it is a possibility. The political and business climate there now is such that it could happen.

Quoting BBADXB (Reply 11): Having been to Guatemala, I'd say that the Pacific Coast of the country has loads of potential, but I'd hate to see it all built-up and turned into a cement & concrete monster like the Costa del Sol in Spain. It's so beautiful, peaceful, laid-back and relaxing as it is, why ruin it?

Where? I like Guatemala but the Pacific coast is no Riviera or Caribbean. No nice beaches, murky and waters (and I'm being nice). What have you been drinking?

Quoting Carmenlu15 (Thread starter): And international airports, while we're at it!

Two more airports for Continental Airlines to add to its route system
 

I love GUA, my fav city in Central America, if I remember right, there's a large, flat area streching at least 4 miles 20-30 miles west of the city that wouldn't require much leveling if they need to build int'l airport, and the most difficult part of the terrain that link Guatemala City already has 4 lane highway. Another plus, it'll be closer to other tourist attractions (or tourist traps) like Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlan, etc.

GUA definitely needs new airport (so does MEX), during early morning and evenning, the terminal virtually runs out of slots/gates.

Quoting Vincewy (Reply 30): I love GUA, my fav city in Central America,

The most beautiful city in the istmus.