Business news

30 Jan 2020

Construction of new terminal in Minsk National Airport to start in 2021

An archive photo

MINSK, 30 January (BelTA) – The construction of a new terminal in Minsk National Airport is expected to start in 2021, Belarus' Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Avramenko told the Respublika newspaper, BelTA has learned.

A project to build a rail link [launch an airport shuttle train] between Minsk and the airport will be launched this year, Aleksei Avramenko noted. This project is closely connected with future development of the airport, primarily with the construction of the new terminal.

“The operating terminal can handle seven million passengers. If the number of passengers continues to grow at the current rate, we will reach the limit by 2022. This is why we intend to start building a new terminal in 2021,” Aleksei Avramenko said. According to him, the project is currently in the pre-investment stage. The capacity and design of the new terminal are yet to be decided. Its connection with the new railway line is also important because it should be convenient for passengers who will arrive at the airport by train.

“We should think the project through well in order to make everything not only beautiful but also functional and convenient for passengers,” Aleksei Avramenko stressed.

The minister added that all design solutions regarding the rail link should be ready by 1 September. “The design documentation is currently in the works. We are also holding talks with banks to raise funds and draw up the financial scheme of the project. Several financial institutions have been invited to participate in the project, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Now we should choose a bank we will work with,” Aleksei Avramenko said.

By the way, several banks may be chosen to participate in the project. “Plans are in place to present the feasibility study of investment in March-April. It will concern the airport rail link, but will also feature some elements of the new terminal. If passenger traffic continues to grow at the current rate then we will need to consider expanding the terminals again. This is why we should have a general concept of the development of the airport premises now,” Aleksei Avramenko added.



Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa