The EAAI has implemented development plans for the effective and efficient modenization and expansion of the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport and Atlantic Coast air terminal. The accelerated remodeling process that began a few years ago, was intensified in 1999 what finished with Phase I. Later, in year 2002 was inaugurated what correspond to Phase II, which meant an investment of US$ 22,000,000. These efforts allow us to enjoy the distinction of being one of the most modern airports in Central America, which will contribute to elevate Nicaragua's classification to Category One.

1. Augusto C. Sandino Airport Infrastructure

Phases III and IV of the Managua International Airport Expansion and Remodeling Master Plan are described below. Phase III comprises new construction in the west wing of the terminal building, with a total area of approximately 10,000 m².

In this area it was constructed a cellar of 2000 m² for offices of the airport, it was constructed a ground-level area to accommodate 51 baggage check-in counters, airline offices, EAAI offices and baggage drop-off areas. The second floor will feature three boarding bridges, boarding lounges capable of seating 260 passengers. This phase initiated in May 2003 and finalized in October 2005.

Phase IV includes the overall remodeling and reinforcing of the original terminal building and the expansion of the public waiting areas. Stores, a fast food courtyard, cafeterias, handicraft stands, ice cream parlors, drugstores, souvenirs, among others, will be located at the ground level with an aproximately area of 4,500 m². The second floor will feature more waiting lounges, duty-free shops, as well as security offices. Likewise, the actual terminal building will be reinforced with 3 buttress walls. At this moment 2 of these buttres walls have been constructed and actually the last one is under construction. This phase began in July 2004 and is estimated to be completed by April 30, 2006.

Until December 31 2005 the construction has advanced in a 91% of the total construction finalizing with the construction of the offices of the EAAI, it has initiated the third buttress wall jobs, it was constructed the concrete boxes of the power supply for the PAPI system, it was settled the X-ray system for luggage check-in in the ground floor, the demolition of the building in remodeling advanced in a 60%, it was settled all air conditioning in triple hight of the building in remodeling, it was concluded the installation of the emergency stairs # 4, it was partially received the area of the first level of the first phase, it was finished the civil works of the second mechanical stairs.

Runway and taxiway expansion. The Managua Airport Expansion and Improvement Master Plan also includes a study to expand the riding surface by 800 meters to the east of the runway and the taxiway by 2,100 meters approximately, as well as to improve and extend the aircraft parking aprons. This expansion will bring the total length of the runway to 3,300 meters. The design phase will be completed by May 2006 and in the same year it will initiate the construction of the expansion.

Cargo Terminal. The new cargo terminal project consists of the construction of two bays, each with 3,500-square meter storage capacity, pallet area, truck access and maneuvering area. The project also includes five aircraft positions on the apron (three in the first phase), a service route and an unenclosed warehouse that will be transformed into a third 3,500-square meter bay during the second phase. The cargo terminal will then have the same handling conditions as the rest of the Central American countries. The project also includes the construction of an office building to accommodate the warehouse management, the Customs Administration, cargo airlines and customs inspectors, consisting of approximately 1,600 square meters, parking space for 20 cargo trucks and a gas station for motor vehicles.

The new air cargo terminal will also include warehouses for dangerous materials, couriers with modern carrousel systems, cold storage, a warehouse for valuable cargo and imports, interconnected by a computer network that will keep an inventory control and will receive and dispatch cargo in a way that guarantees the safety of the cargo and its locaton at all times. The security system will include x-ray equipment a closed circuit TV system in several strategic areas, and a fire alarm system.

3. Secondary Mono-pulse Radar Bluefields

For purposes of increasing even more the air traffic control safety in Nicaragua, it initiated next to the aerodrome of Bluefields in February 2005 the construction of a new air traffic control tower, a control center and a second secondary mono-pulse radar and the installation of a second secondary mono-pulse radar system in order to contribute to the modernization of the air traffic control infrastructure and equipment, as well as having more reach of monitoring the air traffic control in the Atlantic region of our country. For that reason the EAAI hired once again the Spanish firm INDRA Sistemas, S.A.

The total cost of the project is about US$ 7.0 million, funded by a loan granted by the Spanish Development Assistance Fund (FAD).

At the present it was concluded the access road to the location where is going to be built the air traffic control tower and control center. It has initiated the civil works of construction of both buildings, the air traffic control tower (12 m) and the head radar tower (15 m). The radar antenna has been install, the civil work will finalize in February 2006. The installation of the equipment will be completed at the end of April 2006, the integration and the fit of the system will be ready by March, the testing flight and the reception of the facilities will be in May 2006, and the operative reception of the system will be in June.

4. Local Airport Infrastructure and Security

Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas
The Airport Management Authority has drawn up conceptual plans for improving the paved areas, taxiways, ramps and air terminals in Puerto Cabezas and Bluefields. The design aircraft of Puerto Cabezas is a DC-8 with a take-off load of 355,000 pounds, while the design aircraft for Bluefields is a 737-400 with a maximum take-off load of 139,000 pounds or 146 passengers.

Corn Island
During the third phase the definitive air terminal building will be built and it will include: immigration and customs services, a fire station, a medical center, a DEA office, X-ray equipment, metal detectors, etc. It is considered to initiate for year 2006 and estimates to last 7months. The project also contemplates the contruction of 3 more platforms to totalize 6, the construction of an air traffic control tower and warehouse areas. The new air terminal will have a parking lot for some 30 or 40 vehicles, with an access route to the urban areas.

The Corn Island airport will be able to receive ATR-72 aircraft with capacity for seventy passengers.

San Juan del Norte
It has concluded the final design and plans for the new runway and air terminal in San Juan del Norte have been completed. The project consists of building two ramps for Grand Caravan-type aircraft, an air terminal with a total area of 470 m² meters and a runway 1,300 meters long and 35 meters wide.