The Brussels airport authority BIAC has approved a strategic plan to increase passenger throughput from 21.5 million to 35 million a year by 2010. It also plans to double air freight handled from the present 650,000t. Centrepiece of the ambitious scheme is a major increase in transport infrastructure to improve access to the airport. The airport authority wants to see full use made of the high-speed train station at the airport basement by linking it to the European high-speed rail network and providing frequent express rail shuttles to Antwerp. Improvements to access roads are also called for. A three-year, $400 million plan to double the capacity of Sao Paulo Airport, Brazil, has been unveiled by the state government. The airport currently handles 15 million passengers annually, and will require a third runway and a third terminal to boost capacity. Contract bidding is expected to start before the end of the year. Meanwhile, there are also plans to double the capacity of Viracopos Airport, in Camphinas, which also serves Sao Paulo, but is located 80km (50 miles) to the north. Miami International Airport has embarked on the second stage of its $2 billion renovation programme. Building work on the new 15-gate South Terminal was commissioned in July and is set for completion in early 2005. The airport authority has several other projects under construction including the Miami World Gateway renovation programme for the North Terminal and runway upgrades. The airport aims to double the terminal area by 2008. The European Union has offered $2 million in aid for the construction of a cargo terminal at Arad Airport in western Romania. The local government will contribute around $700,000 to the project. The work is to be conducted by a Romanian construction consortium, and planners hope to achieve a 60% increase in cargo traffic once the terminal is completed.
Source: Flight International