President Hipolito Mejia will be in Samana on Thursday, 7 June, to launch construction of the Samana International Airport at Catey. Consorcio Aerodom will invest an estimated US$100 million in the construction and equipping of the airport. Diario Libre newspaper says the private company already has the concession to operate four other airports in the country, and two under construction (La Isabela in Higuero and Catey in Samana). Aerodom presented the feasibility and environmental impact studies for the Samana project last week. The airport is expected to be a boost for northeastern tourism. It will serve both the Playa Grande-Rio San Juan hotel areas as well as Samana. If it can attract major carriers, it could become the airport of choice for residents of San Francisco and Nagua cities. (29 May 2001)
