The Chamber of Tourism in Honduras said that operations in the early morning would enable new flight frequencies for both passengers and cargo.
Armando Funes, CANATURH’s vice president and president of the Airlines Association of Honduras, said that there are still "hours in the early morning which could be used to open new markets."
"The development of a country from the economic and tourism standpoint is conducted through air transport.
Discrepancies between the government and the concessionaire for Honduran airports has prevented the signing of the contract for adapting Palmerola to be the main airport in Honduras.
President Lobo’s aim for the new airport terminal to be opened in December 2013 will not be fulfilled, and it is also in doubt whether construction will start during his tenure.
The extension of the contract with Airports of Honduras until 2040 is subject to a $300 million investment including the construction of a new terminal at Palmerola.
The current contract is for 25 years and expires in 2020, the extension until 2040 must be submitted to the Honduran Congress for approval.
Public Works Minister, Miguel Pastor told the press, "We want an international airport in Comayagua (Palmerola) that does not have the problems of size and safety that Toncontin (Tegucigalpa) has, and for this, investment is being made in improving the road network to the area and facilitating the flow of trade and passengers. But we do not have the resources to build the new airport and with the concession we are able to do that. "
The expansion work and repair of the airport will be completed in a period of five years.
Representatives from Aeropuertos de Honduras, the company responsible for the operation of Roatan airport, announced the investment project to city officials and businessmen.
Among the works to be carried out are the expansion by 3,000 square feet of the terminal building, the implementation of a new air conditioning system, repair of the runway and aircraft parking expansion.
The company Aeropuertos de Honduras has announced an investment of $52 million into expanding and remodeling four international terminals.
Fredy Nasser, president of Aeropuertos de Honduras, said that the works will be carried out at the airports of Toncontín in Tegucigalpa, Goloson in La Ceiba, Juan Manuel Galvez in Roatan, and San Pedro Sula.
The former president of the Cortes Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIC), Oscar Galeano, told Latribuna.hn "the investment in the international airport in San Pedro Sula, will cover the purchase and acquisition of technology for the operation of the flights, air conditioning improvements, expansion of the terminal and the installation of three additional walkways, among other improvements. "
The Honduran government is awaiting the results of a feasibility study before beginning the project.
The president of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, reiterated the government's intention to remodel the Palmerola commercial airport, also known as Soto Cano in order to replace the International Airport, Toncontin.
Lobo indicated that they are waiting for a technical study that is being conducted by a Spanish company, with which they can determine the feasibility of the project and analyze the proposal that has already been received from the builder.
InterAirports authorities, Tegucigalpa airport concessionaire, announced the availability of funds for its construction.
Edgardo Maradiaga, head of Honduran Airports, added that construction of a highway to the airport should be a settled matter before the new terminal is built.
"He stated that there is the possibility of extending the concession contract, which for the past 10 years has reshaped the country's air terminals, to operate the new airport but appropriate channels given by the law must be followed," reported Latribuna.hn.
Through a partnership between Digicel and Aeropuertos de Honduras, the four airports will have free internet service.
The agreement also includes installation of recharging cell phone towers.
"Wi-Fi service will be available starting today in waiting rooms and food court areas in Toncontín airport in Tegucigalpa, Ramon Villeda Morales in San Pedro Sula and thereafter in Golosón of La Ceiba and Juan Manuel Galvez in Bay Islands", reports Elheraldo.hn.
"Aeropuertos de Honduras" is investing half a million dollars in redesigning the airplane platform of Roatán Airport.
Edgardo Maradiega, manager at "Aeropuertos de Honduras", stated that this project complements the construction of access roads for the firefighting station.
"This airport handles an approximate 15 international and 6 domestic flights a week.
The four airports of Honduras have now resumed international flights.
Initially, the Civil Transport Authority had only authorized local flights, but yesterday resumed international ones.
Roberto Maradiaga, manager of the airport operator 'Aeropuertos de Honduras', commented that "some international airlines expect to resume flights today, and others on Saturday".
The only runway at the International Airport of the Honduran capital will have its premiere in a few days, with an expansion of 150 meters in addition to another 150 meters in security zones at the airport.
The security of air operations at this airport has been much questioned, exactly for the basic issue of the length of its runway, which was a contributing factor to the cause of the TACA accident where, on May 30th of last year, [the plane] overran the end of the runway, crashing against the bank of a highway and causing the death of 5 people.
The Government finally reached an agreement with InterAirports to build a terminal at Palmerola, located 70 kilometers to the north of Tegucigalpa.
"There is an initial agreement for the construction of a terminal at the Palmerola military airport," the manager of the company, Carlos Ramos, announced at a press conference with the Minister of the Presidency, Enrique Flores.
The commercial airport concessionaire in the country, InterAirports, confirmed its interest in converting Palmerola into an international air terminal.
This company is awaiting an answer from the government for the third proposal presented on Thursday night. The investment will range between $35 to $50 million depending on State requirements.
"They asked whether or not we are qualified to build an airport at Palmerola and we have told them yes; we have presented complete plans and documents," highlighted Carlos Ramos, manager of InterAirports.
The government has asked InterAiports to decide whether or not they will participate in the management of the airport.
The plan to use Palmerola as a commercial airport is still on the table.
It has been reported that President Manuel Zelaya gave an ultimatum of 96 hours for the airport company to reply, however InterAirports said in a press release that the time given is to update the proposals presented in June 2008.
Airport authorities in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, face spiraling costs as traffic is diverted from Tegucigalpa following a recent serious accident there.
Alexander Hernández, the San Pedro Sula airport manager, said he has hired 30 extra workers in recent days to handle the growing burden of security and administration. The new workers will stay there till repairs are concluded in Tegucigalpa or a decision is finally taken to expand at San Pedro Sula.
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