Alejandro Giammattei, president-elect of Guatemala, announced that during his mandate the administration of the country's airports will be handed over to the municipalities.
The plans of the president-elect, who is due to take office on Jan. 14, 2020, are to hand over the administration of several airports to mayors who have commercial airstrips within their municipalities.
Operations at three air terminals, including La Aurora, are being affected by trade union reprisals against dismissal of air traffic controllers.
Jackeline Lopez, in charge of communication of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) said that a cut of $2 million in the budget of the institution led to the dismissal of 25 of 60 air traffic controllers and a cut of 23% in salaries for the rest of the staff.
Changes are being made to control processes and clearance of cargo carryied by commercial aircraft at the La Aurora international airport.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT):
Air cargo arriving at La Aurora International Airport and which is shipped aboard scheduled commercial passenger flights, now has better customs controls applied by the staff at the loading and unloading area of the Air Express customs office of the Administration Superintendency Tax.
Plans for the construction of the airport of Puerto de San José, Escuintla, are ready, and a partnership with the private sector is being sought to provide the finance of $140 million required for the project.
The aim of the construction of this airport is to relieve pressure on the air traffic in the terminal of La Aurora. Due to the fact that the necessary funds have not been obtained, the state is aiming to complete the project via a public-private partnership model.
Located in the Esquipulas municipality, in the department of Chiquimula, the airport will serve 60 to 80 passenger planes.
Construction of the first stage will be funded with $2 million provided by the Council of Departmental Development, entity responsible for authorizing the project. Works will start once the air transport authority finishes pending studies.
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