Colombia’s government will renovate and modernize six airports near the Caribbean Coast and the Santander departments, newspaper El Espectador reported Tuesday.
More than $100 million is being invested in the airports, which together account for transporting two million passengers a year. The new development is due to increased trade and commerce in the regions.
The Alfonso Lopez Airport in Valledupar, Simon Bolivar in Santa Marta, and Almirante Padilla in Riohacha, all of which are located near the Caribbean Coast, will receive funds for their renovations. The three airports in the Santander departments that will be remodeled are the Palo Negro airport in Bucaramanga, Camilo Daza in Cucuta, and Yariguies in Barrancabermeja.
A majority of the funds, or $41.7 million, will be invested in the Palo Negro airport. The airport’s terminal will more than double in size, from nearly 80,000 square feet to about 190,000 square feet.
The Eldorado airport in Bogota has already undergone $350 million in renovations. Twenty-six of the 43 projects have already been completed. The airport will ultimately receive a total of $1 billion for new development.
The Under-20 World Cup invested $3.4 million in the Eldorado airport to help accomodate the influx of people for the soccer tournament. These additions will be demolished, however, in the construction of the new terminal.