New Year start for construction of Almaty's new main terminal

Published: 1/4/2000

According to Alexander Krinichansky, President and Chairman of Air Kazakhstan Group, the construction of a new main terminal at Almaty's international airport will begin this year. He added that he expected the construction costs would run to $16-18m, and would be mainly funded privately and that those participating in the financing would be determined after negotiations with the airport"s management. In July 1999, a fire gutted the main passenger terminal, but left the airport"s cargo terminal undamaged. While some reports attributed the cause to a short circuit in the restaurant, rumours of arson were rife. Almaty has been dogged by management troubles, fuelled by rival factions within the region. Airport and government officials want the new building to be constructed on the foundations of the destroyed one, which was built in the 1950s. It is anticipated that the new terminal should be able to meet the airport"s needs for at least 15 years. Associated article: www.concise.org. 16th July 1999

Article ID: 1276