In Pardubice, an airport terminal could be built next year

Pardubice, July 21 (ČTK) - Construction of the long-planned airport terminal in Pardubice could start next year. However, the city and the regional council want to further reduce the cost of construction by at least 50 million crowns to 250 million crowns. This was stated by governor Martin Netolický (ČSSD) to ČTK.
    "I would be glad if construction at least started next year; the amount includes a parking lot and access road. We need a reasonably sized regional airport, not any megalomaniacal structures," said the governor.
    The airport has modernized part of its operations in the past. With the help of EU subsidies, it completed repairs of the fuel infrastructure, taxiways, and connecting runways in 2012 for over 250 million crowns.
    A terminal was supposed to follow, which was eventually supposed to be built last year after delays. However, companies wanted to build it for 400 million crowns, which was beyond the airport's capabilities. The reduction to 300 million crowns eventually seemed too much for the city and regional council representatives. "Karlovy Vary has a terminal for 100 million crowns, and it includes facilities for airport management and offices," said the governor.
    According to the chairman of the board of East Bohemian Airport, Pavel Svoboda, the airport will not be competitive without a new terminal. "All competing airports, Karlovy Vary, Brno, Ostrava, already have built terminals, Pardubice is at a disadvantage," he told ČTK. The East Bohemian Airport is owned two-thirds by the city and one-third by the region.
    The Pardubice airport has lost a significant portion of its passengers from Russia due to the weakening of the ruble and the crisis in Ukraine, which constitutes its main clientele. Problems began last year. Therefore, from September, East Bohemian Airport will have new management. Director Michal Červinka will be replaced by Helena Šmejková from ČSA.
    "The new director will present us with a business plan within three months. In the city management, we agreed that we absolutely need the terminal," said Pardubice mayor Martin Charvát (ANO). According to him, the question is at what price the costs will stabilize. "From experience, I know that, for instance, Czech suppliers can do air conditioning cheaper," the mayor added.