AN ENVIRONMENTAL impact study for an 18.5 million euro project to increase facilities at Faro airport by 2012 is currently under public consultation.
The study, which was necessary because of the airport’s proximity to two sensitive areas, the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Rede Natura 2000, will be under public consultation until October 28.
Details can be viewed in the parish council offices of Montenegro, Faro, and Almancil, Loulé.
If the study is approved, Faro airport will have the capacity to increase the number of hourly flights from 22 to 30, which, in the space of three years, will cater for an extra 1.2 million more passengers than in 2007. This increase in passenger numbers is expected to continue in the coming years.
ILS system
According to the study, the number of passengers at Faro airport is expected to increase by 35 per cent until 2020, which represents more than three million extra people.
To meet the demands of this projected increase of passengers, airport management company ANA Aeroportos is due to go ahead with the plans to construct the additional infrastructure for an instrument landing system (ILS) on runway 10. This system guides planes to land and will avoid pilots diverting to other airports in case of bad weather conditions.
As well as the ILS system, Faro airport also plans to increase the platforms and runway accesses, which will reduce waiting times, allowing planes to leave the runway more quickly. Also planned are a new hanger and other support buildings.
The construction of the ILS system on runway 10 and runway accesses is due to start in April, 2009, with completion forecast for September 2011.
A preliminary study is currently being carried out for plans to modernise and increase the size of the main airport building. This work is predicted to start in February 2010 and be completed in July 2012.
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