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Toncontín International Airport

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Latest Information about Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras as published by the weekly newspaper "Honduras This Week"; 10.24.2006:

http://www.abyznewslinks.com/hondu.htm

Toncontin Airport renovation ready for inauguration

http://www.marrder.com/htw/national.htm

File://www.marrder.com/htw/pictures/s06-01-23c.jpg Construction outside the new terminal building entrance to Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

By Alexandra Winton

"Behind these walls we are building the new Toncontin International Airport," state the many signs posted around the construction sites of Tegucigalpa's airport.

The airport is a hive of activity, in preparation for the presidential inauguration taking place on Friday, January 27.

A new building of more than 6,000 square meters(approx. 61,000 square feet) should be open by Monday, January 23 to receive the many people coming from all over the world for the inauguration.

Pedro Grave de Peralta, public relations manager at Toncontin said they are working with many people to help welcome all of the international guests at the airport.

He mentioned guests like Prince Felipe of Spain. Presidents from seven Latin American countries are also coming, including Vicente Fox of Mexico, Martín Torrijos Espino from Panama and Colombian Álvaro Uribe.

Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar, artists like Guillermo Anderson and other performers will also be arriving.

The remodelling of an older, 8,000 square meter (82,000 square feet)building, and general modernization is underway. Changes include new air conditioners, escalators, a new immigration area and a new access road leading into the airport.

"We're talking about more than $12 million for the new building, remodelling of the old one and all the equipment going inside," said Grave de Peralta.

Though the airport is under heavy construction, this did not seem to be bothering travellers. "I noticed they're remodelling, but it didn't really affect me at all," said Carlos Martinez, who was dropping off a co-worker.

"I think it's a good job for the future. Right now it's not the best because they're still working, but when it's finished it will be good because we need the best airport," said traveller Jorge Molina.

It is a slightly different story for airport staff, who have been putting up with the work for months. Miguel Moncada, who works for American Airlines, complained of dust and lack of space for travellers. "Sometimes you see a cloud of dust, and in the morning our computers are all full of dust," he said.

Nevertheless, Moncada knows the work is necessary and mentioned that the airport is going to be much better when it is done.

Some of the work that began last May will be completed next Monday, while the rest is expected to be finished by May of this year, said Grave de Ralta. A grand opening is expected for next May.



Toncontin International Airport (IATA airport code TGU) is a civil and military airport that serves Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It is 6 km away from Tegucigalpa's centre.

The airport's single runway is 2025 m (6132 feet) in length and is at an altitude of 1090 m (3,297 feet). Boeing 757s are the largest aircraft that can land at Toncontin.

During the Football War of 1969, Toncontin was a major target for the Salvadorian air force, and it was bombed on several occasions.

In 2000, the airport handled 6,895,267 tonnes of cargo, 12,911 aircraft and 364,141 passengers.

Toncontin International Airport has 2 gates, 1 baggage claim belt, 150 short term parking spaces, a post office, a bank, a bureau de change, many restaurants, several airline lounges, a duty free shop, car rental services and a first aid room.

Toncontin is also the home of the Aeroclub de Honduras.

Airlines

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