Arkhangelsk continues to seek funding for aiport improvements

Published: 1/27/2000

According to reports in Arkhangelsk, the regional governor, Anatoly Efremov, has recently held talks with Germany company, ASTA, on the reconstruction of the Talagui Airport in the region and its funding. The discussions were reported to cover a feasibility study, with Efremov arguing that the region needed to improve the air transport situation and recommending the creation of a regional airline covering the major centres in Russia"s northern region, including Murmansk, Vologda and Arkhangelsk. These are all areas that have recently experienced considerable problems with air transport, such as the bankruptcy of Murmansk Airlines, and the sale of airlines to parties reluctant to support air transport over existing routes in this vast region. The discussions also noted that the airport"s development would provide support for the move of some of Russia"s space activity, from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, to Plesetek. Recently, the Krunichev space company has undertaken to invest in the upgrading of the airport to support its cargo activities at the centre to the south of Arkhangelsk. As with so many of these projects, the major challenge will lie in securing the funding.

Article ID: 1364