Colombia opens latest phase of Bogotá airport expansion

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos opened the latest phase of the 2.3tn pesos (US$770mn) modernization and expansion of El Dorado international airport in capital Bogotá.

The works entailed the expansion of the domestic and international departure areas, adding 46,630m2 to the main terminal building, as well as six new airplane parking positions, among others, a press release from the transport ministry says.

During the inauguration, transport minister Germán Cardona said that when the old terminal was demolished in 2013 it had a surface of 55,000m2.

The airport now has 39 gates and 13 remote positions, up from 10 in 2013.

The latest works demanded 420bn pesos, which were invested by concessionaire OPAIN. Past works included expanding the apron, rebuilding the passenger terminal and a new control tower.

El Dorado currently handles 40mn passengers a year, and with the upgrades that number is expected to increase by 3mn, a separate press release from the presidency says.

During the inauguration, Santos also said that over the next few days expansion works for the airports serving Ríonegro, Quibdó, Santa Marta and Bucaramanga will also be finished.