Brussels South Charleroi Airport increased its passengers handled by 65% in 2002, mainly as a result of Ryanair operating three Boeing 737-800s to nine destinations. The airport expects to handle 1.7 million passengers in 2003 and is planning to add a new terminal with capacity for 3 million passengers by 2006. Mean-while, Brussels International Airport suffered a 16% drop in aircraft movements to 256,873 in 2002, back to levels last experienced in 1995. This was as a result of the demise of Sabena, which accounted for 52% of Brussels' 2000 capacity.
The Zimbabwean government is studying the feasibility of developing a new international airport at Kariba, a main tourist destination in northern Zimbabwe. The government says the existing airport cannot cope with demand and is losing traffic to airports in Zambia. But the study comes as tourist traffic to Zimbabwe plummets due to political and economic instability and government critics have questioned the need for the airport.
The government of Singapore is allocating S$210 million ($120 million) to help maintain Changi Airport's status as a regional hub. The measures include 15% discounts on landing and rental charges at Changi and secondary Seletar Airport from 1 January for three years, continuing discount schemes that began last year.
Naples Airport has opened a new departures hall and enlarged terminal and doubles its check-in capacity to 27 desks, which marks the completion of the first phase of a €71 million ($74 million) improvement.
Paris-based Optimum Group is to develop a $100 million commercial complex as part of the redevelopment of Bahrain International Airport (BIA). Construction tenders will be invited next year and the centre will open in 2005. Bidding is meanwhile under way for the contract to build a new air traffic control tower. The BIA project includes the construction of a satellite terminal at the eastern end of Terminal 1.
Source: Flight International
