Possible contract to run Baghdad Airport (450 words)

Published: 9/28/2000

Having opened its new runway in July of last year, one of Russia's more successful airports Barnaul, managed by OAO Aviation Company Altai otherwise know as Altai Airlines; has continued to modernise its facilities, improving taxiways, parking, lighting and repair facilities since last year. Speaking at a press conference to mark the organisation's third anniversary, the General Director of Altai, Ivan Komarov , said the airport is close to being able to handle the “most modern and heaviest aircraft”, with upgrades of the airport's ILS system part of that process. Since the company's inception in 1998,when Altai inherited the airport assets of the bankrupt Barnaul State Aviation Enterprise; the airport has gone from servicing a few airline in 1998 to 52 in 1999. Komarov boasts that in those three years of operation the airport itself has somewhat improbably never caused an aircraft delay. The quality of the airport however, is supported by the statistics of the Western Siberian Department of the now defunct FSVT, which reports that during the period between 1998-1999 the airports movements grew by 109.1%. A trend that continued in 1999, where despite poor market conditions the airport saw an increase in passenger volumes of 20%. In the first eight months of 2000, the airport has seen an increase passenger flights of 22% and of cargo of 27%, with the management anticipating revenues exceeding 1999 by 210% for the full year. During the summer period a number of operators started new routes from the airport including Sibir , Aeroflot-on-Don ,Pulkovo and Aviaexpresscruise among others, adding new routes to the country's major centres. Adding to the normal seasonal increase in charter traffic from Siberian cities in transit to vacation destinations in Russia and abroad. The airport's reasonable fuel and lubrication reserves have also meant during 2000, according to the management, that they escaped the fuel problems of Tomachevo and Kemerovo and in fact attracted carriers to the airport due to the availability of fuel. The airport has according to Komarov developed a business plan through to 2005 covering issues such as attracting investment, making sure that the airport meets international standards and the development of non-core businesses to boost the air company's revenues. As part of that diversification Komarov has reported that during recent meetings in Baghdad with the Ministry of Transportation, the Iraqi's expressed its interest in hiring the company to assist in the management of the airport in Baghdad. The potential contract according to Komarov, could bring considerable benefits to the company.

Article ID: 2093