IPNews-Monrovia: Barely three months after the opening of its new passenger terminal A, authorities at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) say negotiations have begun for the construction of terminal B, to be used as a transit terminal-a major boost to the return of the Robert hub.
“We are also in the quest of demolishing the old terminal for the construction of Terminal B, which will be a transit terminal. Negotiations are on the way for the construction,” RIA Managing Director Bishop John Allan Klayee told journalists briefly before a tour of the new airport facility.
Flanked by his Deputy for Administration Mr. Martin J. Hayes, Bishop Klayeeappears confident that the construction of the new transit terminal B will boost both aircraft and passengers inflow and restore Liberia’s competitiveness in the air transport industry.
“The reason why we want to do terminal B. is to use it as a transit hub, so that we can take it back to where we were like before and that will boost the passenger flow and this will also boost the inflow of flight as well,” he said.
The discussion comes amidst a partnership agreement signed between RIA and the Hartfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Georgia recently as the latter considers the construction of an aircraft servicing center at RIA to service and sell aircraft spare parts. Such service center is currently limited on the continent. When constructed this could attract aircrafts that are in distress around the continent and beyond to seek services here.
“We’ve signed a partnership agreement with Hartfield Jackson airport. (They are) interested in coming here in partnering with RIA in building an aircraft maintenance center here where they will sell aircraft spare parts. Only South Africa can boast of such facility and so if that center is built here it will attract operators from around the world and Africa to come here for servicing,” Bishop Klayee explained.
This development also comes at the time American airliner Delta, which is based in Atlanta has agreed to handle the cargo services at the RIA, instead of immediately resuming passenger flights.
“We had discussions with Delta Airline to return, but from all indications, Delta is not willing to return to continue with passengers’ service but they are rather interested in handling the airport’s cargo service.I accepted their proposal to start with cargo,” the RIA MD said adding that feasibility studies on all the discussions are expected to begin during a follow up meeting this December.
He was excited saying these are welcoming news for the country as efforts are being made to improve services at the airport to attract passenger aircrafts.
He said rehabilitation work on the runway which is the longest in the sub-region has been completed, while concerns which were being raised about the new passenger terminal are being address.
The RIA Managing Director said the rehabilitation of the runway has restored some level of confidence among airlines that once abandoned their services here due to the terrible condition of the runway.As it stands Air France has agreed to resume flight here, while negotiations with Air Turkish is ongoing, BishpKlayee said.
However, despite these good news, the airport faces one major challenger which is electric power. Authorities burn 80 gallons of diesel fuel every hour, and the Managing Director said the cost of fuel accounts for 80 percent of the airport’s expenditure.
In order to address this power issue, he said plans are on the way to construct a solar power dam that will electrify the entire airport and its surrounding areas. He did not say when the project will start.
He also commented on concerns raised about the new terminal saying, the sewage system had been rectified, while external air conditioners have been installed. He said one of the reasons why the jet bridges is not been used at the moment is because they have sent operators abroad for training and upon their return they would be in the position to manage the facility. He said the usage has been suspended for now because of fears that when the operators are not train in its usage they could cause problems for aircrafts.
Roberts International Airport (RIA) is the sole international airport in Liberia, West Africa. The airport is located near the town of Harbel, 35 miles from the capital of Monrovia. The airport is also known as Robertsfield, as it is named after Liberia’s first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts.
RIA is owned by the Government of the Republic of Liberia and is operated by a Liberian management unit. RIA was originally built by the US Government as a base during the Second World War. On 14 July 1941, the Liberian Government came to an agreement with Pan American Airways (PAN AM) to convert RIA into a civil and commercial airport.
In 1985, the Liberian Government took control of the airport after PAN AM renounced and surrendered the ownership a year earlier. The government has been running the airport since then.
RIA suffered severe damage during the civil war in Liberia in 1990. The runway was bombed and the main terminal building burned down. Both the runway and the terminal building became inoperable and the airport was shut down. Commercial operations at the airport started again in 1997 by converting a cargo building to a terminal.
Upgrades
The airport has been upgraded with a state-of-the-art IT system, close circuit TV for 24-hour security and security equipment.
Passenger and cargo airlines operate from the airport. The passenger airlines include Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, Aero Contractor, Bellview and Virgin Nigeria. The cargo airlines include DHL and WTA.
Delta Airlines revealed its plans to start aircraft operations between the US and Liberia. The airline intends to use RIA as its West African hub.
Major renovation works are underway in the airport’s existing terminal and surroundings.
Financing
The finance for the works was divided into six bidding packages. The World Bank is funding the first bidding package and confirmed an amount of $500,000 for the same. USAID is committed to financing the remaining bidding packages where the cost is over $3.1m.
The renovation of the temporary passenger terminal is being financed by the Liberian Government.
Terminal features
RIA has two terminals. The second terminal is chiefly used by the UN.
Special baggage carts are available at the baggage claim area. A banking and foreign exchange service is provided outside the main terminal building. There is also a lost and found service and a postal service provided at the airport.
Bars and restaurants are located in the departure halls in the main terminal building, which also house duty free shops.
Runways
The airport was initially built with two runways but now has a single 3,400m-long runway. Two aprons were constructed in asphalt pavement measuring around 57,000m2. They were extended by 85,000m2.
The secondary runway was abandoned and is currently being employed as parking area for off-duty military aircraft.
Air traffic control
The RIA’s control tower is located at the airport’s southern end. Systems Interface upgraded the control tower’s equipment including turnkey supply, installation and commissioning of VHF transmitters and receivers, a crash alarm system, an ATC clock system, a power distribution system and control desk.
Security screening
Special baggage and security scanners are among the supplied equipment installed at the airport.
Airport security is undertaken by the UN’s Mission In Liberia troops, along with the Liberian National Police.
Contractors
The USAID-funded operations and emergency works are contracted to Global Business Solutions. The contractor is working with RIA management to complete the emergency works.
The contract for the supply and installation of the navigation, aeronautical, meteorological and security equipment at RIA has been awarded to Systems Interface. The supplied equipment consists of an automatic weather observation system, voice recording system, baggage and security scanners, airfield lighting equipment, lightning protection, ground commissioning and flight check of navigational aid systems.
The Liberian Government has allocated $200,000 for the renovation of the existing terminal building. A local contractor has been appointed and works are underway.
