"KP" found out about building and opening of new Kharkiv air gateway, which for Euro 2012 will be able to take Boeings and Airbuses.
BUILDING WAS BUILT ON THE EMPTY SPACE IN TWO YEARS
The new terminal of International Airport "Kharkiv" can be compared at least to the construction of DnieproGES. A significant event for the country - not without reason "red ribbon" was cut in Kharkiv Aviation Day in Ukraine.
First of all, let alone for years of independence, but generally over the past quarter of century in the regional centers there hadn`t been built a single terminal "from scratch". Latest regional air terminal in Ukraine was built 26 years ago - in 1984 in Poltava. And since then only existing "air gates" has operated, sometimes they were upgraded.
Secondly, this is the first "aircraft" object, which was built in preparation for Euro 2012 and which seems to have finally persuaded the representatives of UEFA that Ukraine is able to hold this tournament.
And thirdly, this is the first private terminal, which construction was 100% financed by Aleksandr Yaroslavskyy - a prominent Ukrainian businessman, the president of Kharkiv FC Metalist, the general investor and coordinator of the "first capital" preparations for Euro 2012.
Construction of the facility costed to Yaroslavskyy 55 million dollars. Another 137.5 million for the reconstruction of the publicly owned airport provides budget.
Viktor Yanukovych personally arrived in Kharkiv on Saturday to take over an object. In waiting for the President workers corrected the platform and adjusted the microphone: it was too sensitive to the gusts of the storm wind. But when the cortege of the head of state "taxied" to the front door, the opening ceremony went without a hitch: the welcome speech of the head of country, the consecration of the building, which was held by lord Onufry - vicar of the Diocese of Kharkiv UPC.
Then Viktor Yanukovych, Oleksandr Yaroslavsky, Boris Kolesnikov (Euro-2012Vice Premier) and the Governor of Kharkov, Mikhail Dobkin, cut the symbolic ribbon, which was attached to the specific equipment of the aviation industry (the so-called tensator which regulate passengets access to the check points and passport and customs control).
OUR BUILDERS HAVE SURPASSED THE EUROPEAN ONES
Addressing to Kharkiv citizens, gathered on airport square, the head of the state has underlined: for the East of Ukraine creation of modern "air gate" is very important. He also has cited Alexandr Yaroslavskyi as an example to other investors.
- This terminal is a symbol of the beginning of development of this extremely interesting region of Ukraine - Slobozhanshchina. 433 million grivnas were actually invested by the private investment company led by Alexandr Yaroslavskyi. It is that example how we can develop our state, - Victor Yanukovych ascertained with satisfaction. - the new terminal corresponds to the international standards. During usual time it will serve about 800 thousand passengers a year, and for Euro-2012 - to two millions. It is very high throughput. Well and, of course, we are almost in the schedule of preparation of Euro-2012.
Victor Fedorovich entered the building of the terminal as a part of official delegation. Excursion for the president was held by Alexandr Yaroslavskiy: for the sake of solemn event the businessman has replaced the habitual casual fashion with a solid suit. As members of delegation have told, the head of state had examined all infrastructure of air terminal, and in Duty free shop has taken an interest, what special Kharkov souvenirs are there.
The director of the tournament "Euro-2012" Martin Kallen has also very positively reacted on what he had seen.
- It is very good that all is made intime, promises are carried out, and it is fine that the new terminal is opened, - he nodded, answering questions of journalists. - I think that it is very good airport and it will change a city life. There will arrive a lot of people to Kharkiv and it is good.
Such estimation of the international expert is not a surprise: it is known that technical "stuffing" of the airport answers the highest world standard. Here the most up-to-date computer technologies are applied, the system of processing of luggage is established by productivity of 960 units per hour for the international and 600 units for internal flights which had been bought from the world leader in this sphere, company Vanderlande Industries. The Control system of passengers and cargo traffic in the terminal is established Swiss – the most advanced from existing. Not to mention that the building amazes with refined design - the terminal is literally filled by light and air. Plus false ceilings which you will meet far not at each western airport.
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE OLD TERMINAL COMES NEXT
After the president’s departure the Ukrainian and foreign journalists attacked Alexandr Yaroslavskiy with questions. Answering them, the investor has underlined: "the First capital" of the country is provided by the airport at least for 100 years. And after opening of the terminal the works at the airport of Kharkov will proceed. In particular, still it is necessary for builders to finish the building of a new runway which becomes longer on 300 metres than the present. Also bearing ability of its covering will considerably increase that will allow Kharkov to accept heavy planes of class Airbus A-320 and Boeing 737. There also be layed new driving paths, and one more important part of airdrome - the platform located directly ahead of the terminal for planes - is already almost ready today ".
- As soon as we start completely the new terminal, I think, in one and a half-two month we will begin the reconstruction of the old terminal, - Alexandr Yaroslavskiy has promised to journalists. - it will cost about 5-6 million dollars, but it will be an exclusive complex which will unite styles of two epoch - Stalin and modern independent Ukraine. We wish to make the old terminal in style of that time.
The businessman counts that the new terminal will pay off within 15-20 years.
- The Kharkov airport will accept planes from all Europe! At the aeroforum we have signed contracts about new routes - to Milan, Budapest, Paris, Berlin, - Yaroslavskiy has listed with pride. - with Poles we have already signed the contract so there will be a direct flight.
On a question on the reasons which have induced him on so difficult from the point of view of recoupment the investment, Alexandr Yaroslavskiy has answered philosophically:
- In this life not all is measured only by money. When I have seen, with what pleasure Kharkiv citizen meet the new terminal as they are proud for the city, which is the first in Ukraine that received the "air gate" of world class, so this terminal has already paid off for me. The new terminal is our gift to them. We have enclosed in it all soul.
The new terminal has started working already in an opening day. The first plane by company Dnepravia to Kiev has taken off from the updated airport already less in two hours after opening ceremony.
P.S. Whether it is necessary to say, that all solemn actions, traditionally ended with festivals?! "Night Snipers", “S.К.А.Y”, "Ocean Elzy".", "2 EX Unlimited", Eve Polna, "Mandri", "Real `O" has sung directly on the area before air terminal for the citizen.
OUR INQUIRY
Alexandr's Yaroslavskiy "New Systems АМ" (is a part DCH) has won competition on long-term rent of the Kharkov airport on April, 1st, 2008. After the end of reconstruction the airport can accept planes till Airbus A-320 and Boeing B-737. The area of the new terminal - more than 20 thousand in sq. m. By calculations of experts, it will allow to increase throughput of the airport to 800 thousand passengers a year.
The project is financed by Alexandr Yaroslavskyy (building of the new passenger terminal, restoration of the existing terminal, reconstruction of the terminal square and building of parking spaces, building of reverse terminal, full modernisation of infrastructure of the airport, purchase of special transport) and by the state budget (building of a new runway, platform and places of parking of the planes, new rescue station and an avia dispatching tower, replacement of light-signal system and system of means of landing of planes) is financed.
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