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).
SLCUT2777 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 3871 posts, RR: 11 Reply 2, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 4385 times:
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.
DELTA Air Lines; The Only Way To Fly from Salt Lake City; Let the Western Heritage always be with Delta!
Fly727 From Mexico, joined Jul 2003, 1788 posts, RR: 23 Reply 3, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 4369 times:
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
There are no stupid questions... just stupid people!
Latinplane From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 2636 posts, RR: 15 Reply 4, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 4358 times:
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!
SFOMEX From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 4339 times:
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!
2travel2know From Panama, joined Apr 2005, 3580 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 4256 times:
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.
TACAA320 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 4252 times:
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 - "
CALMSP From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3662 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 4252 times:
good...............more goat cheese to download in IAH
okay, I'm waiting for the rich to spread the wealth around to me. Please mail your checks to my house.
2travel2know From Panama, joined Apr 2005, 3580 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 4215 times:
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.
Yellowtail From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 5276 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4211 times:
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.
When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No-one has ever collided with the sky.
BBADXB From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4188 times:
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.
TACAA320 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4188 times:
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.
Juanchito From Guatemala, joined Nov 2000, 1096 posts, RR: 11 Reply 14, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4166 times:
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
NYCFlyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1381 posts, RR: 10 Reply 15, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4156 times:
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.
SLCUT2777 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 3871 posts, RR: 11 Reply 17, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 4132 times:
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. !
DELTA Air Lines; The Only Way To Fly from Salt Lake City; Let the Western Heritage always be with Delta!
Juanchito From Guatemala, joined Nov 2000, 1096 posts, RR: 11 Reply 19, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 4108 times:
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.
Latinplane From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 2636 posts, RR: 15 Reply 20, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 4025 times:
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.
Juanchito From Guatemala, joined Nov 2000, 1096 posts, RR: 11 Reply 21, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 4023 times:
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.
Ghost77 From Mexico, joined Mar 2000, 5130 posts, RR: 53 Reply 22, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 4011 times:
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]
Ricardo Morales - flyAPM - ¡No es que maneje rapido, solo estoy volando lento!
2travel2know From Panama, joined Apr 2005, 3580 posts, RR: 4 Reply 23, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 3991 times:
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".
Juanchito From Guatemala, joined Nov 2000, 1096 posts, RR: 11 Reply 24, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 3982 times:
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.
Demand is about 1.8 - Million
Fase 1 - 2.9 Million
Fase 2 - 4.7 Million
Fase 3 - 7.0 Million
Juanchito
Chapin de corazon.
25 Carmenlu15: 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)...
26 SFOMEX: I know! I was being silly, that's all. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Indeed, but let's remain hopeful that sooner rather than later we will see
27 Carmenlu15: 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 tha
28 787KQ: 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
29 Toxtethogrady: Two more airports for Continental Airlines to add to its route system
30 Vincewy: 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 th
31 TACAA320: The most beautiful city in the istmus.
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From Guatemala, joined Dec 2004, 4701 posts, 
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LatinPlane <---CarmenLu15's friend
From Panama, joined Apr 2005, 3580 posts, 
......seriously... I think that there are some stretches around Barrios.
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
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