This Friday, the official inauguration ceremony of the modernization works of the Salto International Airport «Nueva Hespérides» took place, which was attended by the President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, along with other government authorities and executives from Aeropuertos Uruguay, the concessionaire of the national airport network.
The works, which included the construction of a passenger terminal of 780 square meters and the complete renovation of the aeronautical infrastructure, represented an investment of more than 13 million dollars.
The Salto airport improvements, one by one
- Resurfacing of the main runway of 1,588 meters in length and 15,000 m2 of the platform.
- Installation of runway light system with LED technology.
- LED lighting of the platform.
- New approach light system and a precision approach path indicator system (PAPI) at both ends.
- Construction of a road and perimeter fence.
- Refurbishment of office spaces for state agencies.
- Installation of a fiber optic ring and a security system with modern technology.
- Construction of facilities for the National Fire Department and the National Air Police.
- Renovation of the control tower.
- New baggage scanners, firefighting equipment, and communication devices.
- Opening of a duty-free shop, new vehicle parking, and fuel station.
“Airports are engines of growth and development, spreading growth and opportunities. We are proud to be able to give Salto a first-class airport, which helps to enhance the work of boosting tourism and development in this area of the country. This is the beginning of a long journey that we hope to travel together with the local community to continue contributing to the economic, tourist, and logistical development of the department and the country,” said Diego Arrosa, CEO of Corporación América Airports in Uruguay.
Airports Uruguay also completely renovated the airports of Carmelo and Rivera in 2022 and 2023 respectively, while making progress with those of Melo, Paysandú, and Durazno. The company is also the concessionaire of the airports of Carrasco (serving Montevideo) and Punta del Este.
Apart from the significant activity of general, executive, and governmental aviation in Salto, the great challenge is to establish a regular passenger air service. Ten years ago, BQB was the last airline to operate regularly.
