Hangar storage of aircraft can become a promising area of activity for Vitebsk Airport

May 20, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. The development of aircraft hangar storage services can become one of the promising areas of activity for the Vitebsk branch of the state enterprise "Belaeronavigation," the energy, transport, and communications department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent. The relevance of developing aircraft hangar storage is due to the growth in recent years of business aviation traffic through Vitebsk Airport. With the availability of hangars for aircraft, Russian airlines are showing interest in using the potential of Vitebsk Airport year-round. Currently, land plots have been allocated on the airport territory for the placement of hangars and the creation of open areas for business aviation aircraft parking. In parallel, marketing research is being conducted on the airfield services market, which will allow for a decision on the optimal choice of development directions for Vitebsk Airport's service sector. In addition, specialists from the Vitebsk branch of "Belaeronavigation" are working on issues of investment support for this project and the possibility of building an aviation transport and logistics center based at Vitebsk Airport. Expanding the range of airport services will be part of a large-scale project to develop airfield infrastructure, which Vitebsk aviators began implementing in 2009. The preparation for the reconstruction of the airport terminal is nearing completion, which is expected to increase the passenger terminal's throughput capacity. The renovated airport will be able to serve up to 300 passengers simultaneously. The construction of an extension to the main airport building, the expansion of the passenger service hall, and service premises, including those for aviation security, customs, and border control, are also planned. The reconstruction of Vitebsk's air gateway will not only enhance the competitiveness of airport services in providing direct and transit air transportation but should also contribute to forming Vitebsk's image as a modern center of business and tourist activity. In addition, the regional executive committee is exploring the possibility of establishing an airline in Vitebsk, and negotiations are underway with external investors who have the potential for cooperation in this area. With an airline, Vitebsk Airport will be able to reach a qualitatively new level of development and fully meet the population's demand for air services, creating a comprehensive logistics center, specialists from the department noted. Vitebsk Airport is located 10 km southeast of Vitebsk. The enterprise provides intra-republican air communication and serves charter domestic and international passenger and cargo transportation. The airport is also in demand for transit business aviation flights. In 1996, the airport received international status and is suitable for operating aircraft of the Il-76, Tu-154, Boeing-737, Boeing-757-200, and A-310-200 types.