-The Dutch transport ministry has announced the government's intention to allow Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to grow beyond the present 450,000 movements and 44 million passengers a year to 600,000 movements and 80 million passengers, a strategic decision designed to safeguard Amsterdam's prominent role in intercontinental air transport. The government is expected finally to confirm the move in mid-December. This will require an expansion of the existing infrastructure and the construction of new runways, while some existing runways will be closed to reduce noise to socially accepted levels. The move has shocked the strong environmental lobby in the Netherlands which plans to fight the expansion. Schiphol is also to take a 13.5% stake in Brussels Zaventem Airport as part of the Belgian Government's plan to reduce its shareholding to around 50%. The project includes an alliance between the two on development of Charleroi Airport, south of the capital, for freight and charter services. -
-Zaventem is also planning to expand with the building of a new terminal. Work has already started on the building of a new 30- gate concourse, which will cost Bfr8 billion ($230 million) and is due to be opened in May 2001.
-The Italian Government has approved a L197 billion ($148 million) spending plan to upgrade the country's airports for the 1999 catholic Guibileo ceremonies, during which catholics worldwide visit Italy. The money will go to 14 airports, including Rome Fumicino, Pisa, a completely new airport at Grumento, near Potenza, Brindisi, Florence, Ancona, Bologna, Turin, Genoa, Riggio Emilia, Capua, Albenga, Trieste and Taranto.
-Aeroports de Paris plans to contribute around Fr500 million ($83 million) to the planned Fr4 billion high speed rail link between the city and Charles de Gaulle Airport. The TGV-style train will cut travel time to around 18min when it enters service in 2004/5.
Source: Flight International
