According to the news, the plans include increasing the boarding gates from 8 to 14, increasing the distance between the main runway and the taxiway (is that the correct translation for pista de rodaje?), and relocating the hangars. The first phase should be finished in two years, with an investment of GTQ320 million (about USD40 million).
Frankly, it was about time La Aurora underwent serious remodeling... I hope it will be a job well done
Somewhat OT, but the article also states that the first of 6 Taiwanese airlines that might come to the country is expected for April 2006. Well, seeing is believing....
Planenutz From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1267 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1912 times:
I wouldn't be surpised if we see a Taiwanese carrier routing to Central America soon. Evidently, this is part of Taiwans push to gain recognition in the international community, as well as a seat at the UN.
Every so often Taiwan will provide a windfall of economic aid, investment, technical assistance, and products to developing countries, usually in the South Pacific and Central America, in exchange for favorable recognition and support by the developing countries for Taiwans accession to the United Nations.
The last time we saw this, EVA Air was flying to Panama City through LAX.
Carmenlu15 From Guatemala, joined Dec 2004, 4679 posts, RR: 35 Reply 3, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 1849 times:
Quoting Planenutz (Reply 1): I wouldn't be surpised if we see a Taiwanese carrier routing to Central America soon
As I said in another thread, the country is in a good geographical position for flights from the Far East; the airport, however...
Then again, that's one of the reasons why GUA is getting a makeover.
Quoting MGA (Reply 2): They cancelled the out of town project?
Last I heard, the current authorities stated there were not enough funds to undertake such a project; therefore, they would rather focus on remodeling the current airports, and leave the construction of the new airport to the next government.
Pzurita1 From Greenland, joined Sep 2002, 1383 posts, RR: 16 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1838 times:
Carmenlu,
Had I know this before, I would have talked about it in our radio program of last week. It was devoted to Guatemala. Anyway.
Take a look and guess who is on top of Volcán de Agua. www.marcopolosiglo21.blogspot.com
SFOMEX From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1796 times:
Quoting Carmenlu15 (Thread starter): but the article also states that the first of 6 Taiwanese airlines that might come to the country is expected for April 2006.
Other than a kind of payback for Guatemala's diplomatic ties with Taiwan, I don't see a TPE-GUA route in the future. GUA is still close to LAX and hence it doesn't seem to need a direct flight to Asia.
Yet, maybe the Taiwanese government doesn't mind to spend some dollars on this route if they gain an ally in the region.
Andahuailas From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1787 times:
The Taiwan-Guatemal link was discussed on this forum a few months ago. Guatemalans are dreaming: there is nothing to justify a direct link between the 2 countries. Eva Air dropped their Tpe-Lax-Pty route a few years ago, being PTY a bigger hub, bigger commercial partner with Taiwan and having a large chinese community. In any event, its about time GUA geta facelift.
Carmenlu15 From Guatemala, joined Dec 2004, 4679 posts, RR: 35 Reply 10, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1725 times:
Quoting Pzurita1 (Reply 4): Take a look and guess who is on top of Volcán de Agua
That is such an AMAZING sight! Excellent pic!
It's nice to see my country having more promotion
Quoting SFOMEX (Reply 7): GUA is still close to LAX and hence it doesn't seem to need a direct flight to Asia.
Don't forget U.S. visa regulations... Trust me, building a decent itinerary from Central America to Asia excluding U.S. airports is a pain in the ! However, I do agree that the idea is a little far-fetched at the present time.
Aer From Guatemala, joined Mar 2004, 996 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1728 times:
I also received the news with high hopes, since it will be great, especially for future Guatemalan startups (the precent ones... I don´t know if they will see cat. I) Oh, and lets not forget FRS works will start too!
Iberia did it, why not Eva or any other Taiwanese carrier? But to tell the truth, I would rather see AC, or a Brazilian, or BA, or AF, or LA at GUA before that.
[Edited 2005-09-27 19:31:29]
nice and spacious airports in need of new airlines and flights... GUA or FRS anyone?... anyone at all?
Plans for remodeling have been reviewed by OACI officers; the first phase is expected to be finished by March 2007, to obtain OACI certification.
Highlights from the article (any comments regarding translation are welcome ) :
The La Aurora international airport remodeling will start in mid-October, with the installation of a third X-ray machine. The new face includes the construction of a parallel runway, six more boarding gates, and changes in passenger service.
[...]
A 3-level parking lot, in the place now occupied by a square in the airport entrance, and a 206 m lineal bridge that will make passenger transit faster, are part of the novelties of remodeling.
The passenger area will be enlarged from 1000 m² to 3000 m², and will be located in the third level.
The fourth level will host the airlines' offices, a food court, and handicrafts stores.
Currently there are 60 airline counters; with the improvements, this number will increase to 80 counters.
The immigration points that welcome passengers will be increased to 24. Currently there are only 8.
Six new 220 m baggage belts will be installed. The current ones, with a length of only 95 m, are malfunctioning.
The private aviation area, known as Aeroclub, will be moved, for the building of a runway that allows continuous circulation of airplanes preparing for take-off or after landing.
Sounds interesting... About time for improvements; the baggage belts have been kaputt ever since I have memory. Wonder where will the Aeroclub be relocated, though...
Aer From Guatemala, joined Mar 2004, 996 posts, RR: 4 Reply 13, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1645 times:
I saw the the plans in elPeriodico today, it looks ok, but not the way i thought it would be, they'll basically recreate GUA, i´ll see if i can scan the image or something. I hope they just do it fast!
nice and spacious airports in need of new airlines and flights... GUA or FRS anyone?... anyone at all?
Aer From Guatemala, joined Mar 2004, 996 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1636 times:
Well here it is, at elPeriodico´s page. The image reflects all the changes in infrastructure they will do to GUA, and in the corner you can see how GUA is right now. For our non-Spanish speaking friends, the biggest highlights are:
·More gates, from 9 to 14 gates (for GUA that is a lot)
·Separating the runway from the taxiway so 2 747 or A340 can operate at the same time safely.
·Widening the taxiway so widebodies won´t have to taxi on the runway, stopping all trafic
Other than that, they will have to move a whole street, kill half of the southern hippodrome so the airport can use it, make the other half a park and I guess move the altar John Paul II used on his last visit or kill it too.
Again as good Guatemalans, we only pray they finish fast and without fund theft.
nice and spacious airports in need of new airlines and flights... GUA or FRS anyone?... anyone at all?
Carmenlu15 From Guatemala, joined Dec 2004, 4679 posts, RR: 35 Reply 15, posted (7 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 1620 times:
Quoting Aer (Reply 14): The image reflects all the changes in infrastructure they will do to GUA, and in the corner you can see how GUA is right now.
Is it just me, or is the map upside down? I recall that maps usually display the passenger terminal at the top and Av. Hincapie at the bottom... then again, maybe it's just me
Quoting Aer (Reply 14): Again as good Guatemalans, we only pray they finish fast and without fund theft.
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From Guatemala, joined Dec 2004, 4679 posts, 
Well, seeing is believing....
From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1267 posts, 
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That is such an AMAZING sight! Excellent pic!
! However, I do agree that the idea is a little far-fetched at the present time.
Dios te oiga!
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