Colombian governmental authorities authorized Monday the demolition of Bogota’s old Eldorado International Airport in 2012 to make way for a bigger and better airport.
President Juan Manuel Santos explained that the purpose of the demolition would be to make space for a new international airport, roughly 1,050,000 square feet in size.
“What was done was to approve an appropriation of the construction of a new airport. What is going to be done will give the citizens of Bogota a new terminal that is much more efficient and appropriate. It’s surprising the number of passengers that are coming to Bogota,” Santos remarked.
The demolition of the existing Eldorado Airport is scheduled for July 2012.
Transportation Minister, German Cardona indicated that in July 2012 the first 230,000 square feet will be made, and by the end of 2014 another 590,000 square feet will be finished.
The minister also explained that Colombia’s civil aviation authority, Aerocivil, in coordination with an American firm, is making the designs for the new airport.
The decision was made during a meeting between the National Economy and Social Policy organization (Conpes) and government officials at the President’s Office.