During a press conference called on 15 July 2024, Aerodom/Vinci Airports’ director in chief, Monika Infante announced significant improvements ongoing at the Las Americas International Airport (SDQ-AILA). The airport is undergoing renovations calling for investment of over US$30 million in the short term.
In addition to these immediate improvements to the existing terminal, work is underway on the design of a new AILA passenger terminal to accommodate the double-digit passenger traffic growth that the Dominican Republic is experiencing. Construction of the new terminal is scheduled to start in 2025 with an investment of US$250 million. The terminal will have capacity to serve four million passengers per year.
The current renovations are happening in the Departures and Arrivals area of the main terminal, the renovation of roofs, facades, lighting, information and air-conditioning systems, and the expansion and remodeling of the vehicle parking lot.
Monika Infante, head of Aerodom/Vinci Airports at Las Americas said that all construction and remodeling work at AILA is expected to be completed by December 2024, with the exception of the baggage handling system, which will be completed in June 2025.
“These investments reflect the commitment of Aerodom and our parent company Vinci Airports to offer airport terminals with world-class infrastructure and services in terms of quality and safety that meet the needs of our users and encourage the development of the aviation industry in our country,” said Mónika Infante Henríquez, CEO of Aerodom/Vinci Airports.
During the construction process, normal airport operations are being maintained, and a detailed communication and signage plan is implemented to minimize inconveniences.
Key improvements at the main terminal include:
•Expanded and remodeled parking lot: The vehicle parking lot is currently being expanded and remodeled, with the addition of 400 additional spaces for Long Term Parking, which also includes the renovation of the pavement, the improvement of the distribution and flow of vehicles, and the remodeling of the landscaping in the area.
•Revamped Departures and Arrivals areas: The check-in lobbies in the Departures area, as well as the entire Arrivals area, will receive a complete renovation that includes changing the floors and ceilings, as well as remodeling the decoration with new elements.
•Sustainable initiatives: To achieve a successful and sustainable environmental transition, a 3,600-square-meter over-roof is being built at the AILA’s north terminal that will allow rainwater to be collected for reuse. Likewise, an additional 1.3 MWP solar power plant is in the final phase of construction and commissioning on the roof of the terminal, which together with the existing ones will bring the airport’s solar park to 5 MWP.
•Modernized terminal facade: Seeking to modernize the appearance of the terminal building, ventilated facade-type cladding will be installed throughout the front of the building on its air side.
•New Baggage Handling System (BHS): Construction and installation of a new BHS is also underway, which includes management with modern security inspection and baggage sorting machines, with triple redundancy.
Aerodom/Vinci has a concession to operate the airport until 2060. Vinci Airports, the world’s leading private airport operator, manages over 70 airports in 13 countries.
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Aerodom
16 July 2024