Civil Aeronautics takes over operation of Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport

Since Sunday, September 1, the Civil Aeronautics assumed the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, which serves the city of Barranquilla and the Department of Atlántico.

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For this transition process The Government will allocate $149,673 million with projection to 2026, to guarantee the operation and improvement of the air terminal.

For its part, the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) will begin the liquidation phase of the old concession contract in parallel.

The first interventions

The public operation of the Ernesto Cortissoz airport will be carried out in stages:

• The first focuses on ensuring the provision of airport services and the operation of the entity for the start of airport operations on September 1, 2024.

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• The second consists of continuous monitoring of airport operations, maintenance of the airside (runway, apron and taxiways), landside, firefighting service base, channels and drainage, perimeter fencing and security strips, outdoor areas, signage, among others. Work will also be done on the completion of the works in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the ANI. In addition, temporary solutions necessary to avoid any type of interruption in the operation of the airport will be implemented, such as, for example, a temporary solution for cargo operators.

The works

From 2025 onwards, the Aerocivil plans to carry out works identified as having a high impact on user comfort and the improvement of operating conditions and the provision of air transport services, among which are:

• Completion of the luggage reception area at the national dock.
• Sterile international dock loading corridor termination.
• Adaptation of the international dock waiting room.
• Adjustments to the passenger terminal bathrooms.
• Adaptations to hydraulic networks and fire protection networks.
• Structural reinforcement of the passenger terminal.
• Platform improvement.
• Demarcation of runways, taxiways, among others.
• Improvement of visual aids control system.
• Improvement of perimeter lighting system.

Additionally, the supply of electromechanical equipment such as a baggage handling system, escalators, elevators and electromechanical doors is planned.