Kuwait provided Lebanon with $39 million for the construction of a new commercial flight runway at the Beirut International Airport. The total cost of the project amounted $45 million. The project is part of a $500 million expansion plan that also included a new passenger terminal, enabling the airport to handle up to six million passengers annually.
Beirut International Airport's new western runway was recently opened to air traffic. The 3,400-meter long runway, built for the most part on land reclaimed from the sea, allows for the diversion of loud air traffic from the skies of Beirut to its southern suburbs. A 2,500-meter wind-barrier was also built to protect the concrete and asphalt runway from high waves.
The opening of the runway was delayed because of difficulties caused by surrounding buildings. It now appears that the buildings do not interrupt flight movement, however, official sources continue to negotiate with the owners in order to remove them in the future in exchange for compensations.
Lebanon launched a multi-billion dollar airport reconstruction campaign, mostly financed by Arab and international aid, following the 1975-90 civil war. — (menareport.com)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
