With the presence of the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, Uruguay Airports inaugurated the new Salto International Airport “Nueva Hespérides”, after carrying out an important modernization work to have an air terminal that meets the highest international standards of operational and service safety.
The ceremony also included the participation of the Minister of National Defense, Javier García and the mayor of Salto, Andrés Lima; among other national and departmental authorities, who cut the inaugural ribbon and unveiled the commemorative plaque next to the President of the Republic.
With an investment of more than US$ 13 million, the works included the construction of a new 780-square-meter passenger terminal equipped with the latest technology, and a complete renovation of the aeronautical infrastructure.
The works included the resurfacing of the main runway of 1,588 meters and 15,000 m2 of platform, the installation of a runway lighting system with state-of-the-art LED technology for integral marking, LED lighting on the platform, a new Runway approach and a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system for both headings.
Likewise, the project included the construction of a road and perimeter fence, reconditioning of office spaces of State entities, the installation of a fiber optic ring, and a security system with modern technology.
Through the works, detachments were built for the National Fire Department and the National Air Police and the Control Tower was renovated to have a modern, safe and sustainable airport.
In addition, state-of-the-art technology was installed such as new baggage scanners, firefighting equipment, and communication equipment. It was also decided to enhance the level of services, with a Free Shop space, a new parking lot and a new fuel station.
The entire work, carried out in just eight months, was carried out with the objective of having an airport with the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
“Airports are engines of growth and development, spilling growth and opportunities. We are proud to be able to give Salto a first-class airport, which allows us to contribute to the work of promoting tourism and the development of this area of the country. This is the beginning of a long path that we hope to travel together with the local community to continue contributing to the economic, tourism and logistical development of the department and the country,” said Diego Arrosa, CEO of Corporación América Airports in Uruguay.
In this way, Salto became the third airport to be renovated by the company, which is part of the global group Corporación América Airports.
The company, which manages the Carrasco and Punta del Este airports, also inaugurated the new Carmelo International Airport in 2022, the Rivera International Airport, the first binational airport in Latin America and the second in the world, and is carrying out the modernization of the airports. of Melo, Paysandú and Durazno, within the framework of the development of the National System of International Airports.