Aeropuertos Uruguay inaugurated the new Durazno International Airport, Santa Bernardina, after investing more than USD 12 million in infrastructure, technology and equipment, and in the construction of a new passenger terminal.
At an event attended by the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, the company celebrated the start of operations at the airport, which became the sixth to be modernized by the company within the framework of the development process of the National System of International Airports, which also included the modernization of the airports of Carmelo, Rivera, Salto, Melo and Paysandú.
“Today we have completed the implementation of a vision, that this work would be carried out in a nerve center for aviation in our country,” said President Lacalle Pou regarding the investment and remodeling carried out in Santa Bernardina.
The president also highlighted Aeropuertos Uruguay's commitment to the country's development and congratulated all the workers involved in the process.
Aeropuertos Uruguay carried out the renovation of the infrastructure to meet international safety and operations standards and included the construction of the road and perimeter fence, a new taxiway and apron, parking, in addition to the refurbishment of the Fire Department and the remodeling of the National Air Police Unit.
“Today we are inaugurating the new Durazno International Airport. And with it we are consolidating the National Airport System. Six new, first-class, modern, safe airports, connecting Uruguay,” said Diego Arrosa, CEO of Corporación América Airports in Uruguay. “The Durazno Airport is the perfect conclusion to this process that we have gone through together. We are convinced that this network will contribute to the development of the country,” added Arrosa.
In addition to the president, the mayor of Durazno, Carmelo Vidalín, and the Minister of National Defense, Armando Castaingdebat, among other national and departmental authorities, participated in the inauguration ceremony.
“I want to thank Aeropuertos Uruguay. We have wanted to make this dream a reality for many years,” said Mayor Vidalín, who, following the inauguration of the air terminal, praised the opportunities for the launch of local development.
Castaingdebat, for his part, stressed the importance of this air infrastructure project. “We are convinced that this is good not only for Durazno, but for the entire country,” said the Minister of National Defense.
The inauguration of the Durazno Airport, Santa Bernardina, is added to the installation in 2023 of a new ILS category I instrumental approach system at the head of runway 21 north, and a new radar with state-of-the-art technology to guarantee coverage of the entire national airspace, in addition to communications equipment in the control tower.
The event highlighted the collaboration and joint work with the various public and private actors that made the completion of Aeropuertos Uruguay projects possible, as well as the company's commitment to carry out the renovation and optimization of airport infrastructure for local and national development.
Source: Quatromanos Agency.