The project to launch the international freight airport in Samara on the basis of the industrial zone of Aviakor plant has been nearly completed. Last Tuesday the Minister of the transport Sergey Frank arrived in Samara to assess the conditions for the implementation of this large-scale project.
The working day was over at the plant’s work shops when YAK-40 with the Minister and the group of experts on board landed on the runway of the plant. The guests were met by the Samara Oblast Governor Konstantin Titov, the Vice-Governor Victor Kazakov, the managing director of OAO “Zavod Aviakor” Albert Avdoshin, the head of the Samara Oblast Administration Departments Vladimir Doronin (The Department of Industry and Commerce), Gabibulah Khasayev (The Department of Economic Development and Investments), Aleksander Ivanov (The Department of Public Property Management), the heads and specialists of the aircraft industry and transport enterprises.
At the take-off stripe the Minister was informed of the advantages the plant and the adjacent areas have to provide for the project implementation. First, the huge production facilities and state-of-the art equipment are available. Second, there is an easy access to the railway, the river Samarka and the motor highway “Tsentralnaya” which is under construction, are located nearby. Besides, the company’s own take-off strip, erected in 1982, is also available. It requires maintenance work, besides, the landing systems and illumination should be replaced to receive foreign aircraft.
The Managing Director of the plant pointed out that the German specialists, being familiarized with our facilities, remarked that the conditions are ideal, taking into consideration the minimum foggy days.
Speaking at a press conference, the Samara Oblast Governor highlighted that the freight airport in Samara will provide for creation of new jobs (the most efficient method of social protection) and the opportunities for international cooperation by developing the transport services and cargo carriage market.
The Minister of Transport Frank said that Samara has certain advantages and may become one of the leading strategic transport corridors in Russia. However, the feasibility study of the project is to be clarified.
Addressing the Board at the meeting the minister pointed out, “It is obvious that alongside with Astrakhan Samara is a crucial transport and freight advanced post. Compared to other regions, Samara Oblast is an investment attractive region. The region is abundant in transportation and energy resources which are closely interrelated. Samara has a significant potential in technology, research and production. Therefore, considering the options for setting up transport and freight centre in Samara on the basis of aircraft plant, we should renovate and modernize an aircraft fleet.
Anyway, we will insist on Samara’s partnership in the manufacturing program for new airplanes.
The Managing Director of OAO “Aviazavod Aviakor” Albert Avdoshin reported on the concept of establishing a logistics transportation freight centre in Samara and in particular the freight airport project designed to import cargoes from South-East Asia and export from Samara to Europe, Central Asia and Siberia. The first stage of the project implementation will require $ 11 200 000, the second stage which is supposed to be over by 2005 will require $ 34 000 000. In aggregate 5000 jobs will be created in the city of Samara and it will provide for the sufficient revenues to the budget.
We could start making investments in the project in June. But the relevant government resolution is needed to start the ball rolling. Avdoshin asked the Minister of Transport Frank to assist with the project realization.
The Minister did not promise direct assistance but highlighted that within the context of the program we should move forward with optimism. He also pointed out that the feasibility study should be more detailed, and the arguments on separate segments of the prospective air carriage market should be presented.
In conclusion the Minister and the governor signed an agreement on cooperation between Samara Oblast and the Ministry of Transport to develop transport corridors.
In the morning the Minister left for Moscow.
