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.
It has been announced that in the coming days the request for proposals document will be published for the refurbishment of Guatemala City airport, with an investment of $15 million.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that the remodeling consists in "... the remodeling of La Aurora International Airport, which includes the resurfacing of the runway and quick exits, changing the floors in the facilities, leasing equipment for inspections, and painting signals on the tracks."
In less than a month the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is expected to auction seven premises which until now have been occupied by the Wisa Group with its brand La Riviera.
As part of the investigations into alleged tax evasion undertaken by the Public Ministry since October last year,"... they have started to pack up the merchandise that was in the seven premises leased by Wisa Group from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC)."
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.
On December 8 inspections and customs controls began on people and goods arriving aboard international private flights at La Aurora International Airport.
Preparations for the protocol establishing customs controls by the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) started in August, following an agreement signed between the SAT and and the ministries of Communications, Agriculture and Interior.
The Tax Authority has opened a customs office in La Aurora airport in order to begin including passengers taking private flights in customs controls.
Authorities from the Tax Administration Office have now set up an office for passengers on international charter flights to make customs declarations, but some formalities are still pending.
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.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has plans to build a new airport in Retalhuleu and to give international status to the Port of San José and Puerto Barrios.
An article in Elperiodico.com.gt reports that the plan was presented last Sunday by President Otto Perez Molina, who asked the auditor of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Armando Asturias, to go ahead with the project that could be starting in the first quarter of 2013.
La Aurora International Airport resumed operations, after being closed for five days.
On May 28, the air transport terminal was closed due to the volcanic ash cloud caused by the eruption of Pacaya volcano.
According to newspaper Sigloxxi.com, “80.000 were affected by the closure of the airport. … By opening the airport, authorities are also paving the way for international aid intended for victims of Agatha tropical storm, which hit the country this past weekend”.
International airport “La Aurora” was shut down by aviation authorities, due to volcanic ash caused by the eruption of Pacaya Volcano.
A spokesperson for the Guatemalan Civil Aviation Authority reported that authorities will decide on Friday if they reopen the terminal on midday.
“Pacaya Volcano started erupting several days ago, but it was not until Thursday that volcanic ash fell over the city of Guatemala”, reported Yucatan.com.mx.
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.