OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2010. Chisinau International Airport will spend EUR39.5 million for reconstruction of landing strips under the second project of modernization. This was announced at press conference of the Managing Director of Chisinau International Airport - Roman Podcorytov. The works will be done in three steps from March to October 2011.

The first step – March-June – the closure of the part of landing strip with only 2164 meters remained in use, enough for taking off and landing of the planes. In this period will be accepted cargo airplanes that come rarely – once in two-three weeks. Thus won’t arise any difficulties. The most difficult phase will be the second one – in June-August, requiring total closure of the airfield for 10 - 12 hours everyday. It is assumed that the airport will be closed at night between 20.00 and 06.00.

In this connection the administration of the airport has already started consultations with airlines in order to determine the most appropriate time for temporary closure of the aerodrome. Air Moldova will suffer more than others as every night it performs 29 flights. Moldavian Airlines performs 13 flights per night, Tarom – 12, Turkish Airlines – 5, Atlas Jet – 4 and UtAir – 2. Roman Podcorytov noted that modernization of the airport will favor the growth of operational possibilities. Thus, the acceptance of bigger planes would become possible, for example of Boing 767, what is impossible now.

The total volume of credit granted to International Chisinau Airport by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development amounts to EUR45.5 million. Out of this amount, EUR 39.5 million will be spend for construction works, and the other funds – for refinancing of external loans, development of master-plan and purchasing of special equipment. EUR 2 million of work costs will be covered by the airport. The last works on renovation of landing strips were performed in 1988.