With an investment of US$ 12 million, works were carried out to renovate the aeronautical infrastructure, as well as to expand and refurbish the passenger terminal, in order to have an airport that meets the highest international standards of operational safety and service.
Among other national and departmental authorities, the mayor of Cerro Largo, José Yurramendi, participated in the ceremony, who together with the President of the Republic and the authorities of Aeropuertos Uruguay cut the inaugural ribbon and presented the commemorative plaque.
“I want to highlight something that is very important: the vocation for meeting, for understanding. From the public sector we have to enforce the rules, the contracts, and having a counterpart like Aeropuertos Uruguay is very important. Each of the meetings we have had has always been rich in content and thinking ahead. That is why we are here in Melo today. We inaugurated an airport and that distant northeast of the country is no longer so far away because it is starting to become a place of attraction and generates an investment opportunity in Cerro Largo,” said President Lacalle Pou.
The works carried out by the company within the framework of the development of the National System of International Airports included the resurfacing of the main runway, a new taxiway and platform.
A path and perimeter fence were also built, visual aid systems, LED beaconing for the runway and LED lighting for the platform were installed.
“Today, Cerro Largo is on the investment map, on the map of opportunities. We are close. This airport connects not only at the air level but also at the level of the possibility of investing, generating development, employment and a better quality of life for our people,” said Mayor Yurramendi.
The project included the construction of a Fire Department sign and a detachment for the National Air Police, as well as the purchase of equipment for the Fire Department, the installation of new communications equipment, such as CCTV, a perimeter fiber optic ring, among others, the construction of a fuel plant and a new meteorological station.
The main purpose of these works was to raise the quality level of the infrastructure and services to operate with international category under standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
“We are proud of this milestone in the development of a modern and safe airport network for Uruguay. We are confident that this airport will be a catalyst for development and will continue to promote decentralization, generating local jobs and revitalizing the area. We are inaugurating a new gateway to the country that is up to the level of what Uruguay needs and deserves,” said Diego Arrosa, CEO of Corporación América Airports in Uruguay.
During the event, the fundamental role that airports play in countries for tourism, health through medical and emergency flights, as well as for trade and development was highlighted, pointing out the logistical potential that the new Airport opens for the region.
Melo International Airport is the fourth to be opened by the company within the framework of the National System of International Airports, following the modernization and implementation of the airports of Carmelo, Rivera and Salto.
Currently, the modernization of the Paysandú and Durazno airports is underway.
Source: Aeropuertos Uruguay / Quatromanos Agency.