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Post by artisans on Jul 15, 2009 9:08:01 GMT 2
44 years after the very first international flight landed at Corfu, the move gathers pace to build a new international airport to serve the island for the next 50 years. A new study has confirmed that Lefkimmi is the obvious site and, as reported before, the proposals include a new north/south highway to speed up transfers.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 11:35:06 GMT 2
I have been following this story over the years, but moreso over the last year or so, gathering as much information as possible. Because of many reasons such as noise pollution, enviromental factors, building decay, and of course Corfu Airport not being capable of possible future increase in visitors, Corfu Airport (allegedly) is destined to close by 2012 (or there abouts). Greece has plans to airports, of which one is on Corfu, and Lefkimmi is the possible, and probable location. Only recently, I have been speaking to Ex Pats, who in turn have been speaking to locals, and the vast majority are very keen on the idea. The roadworks are already under way, with a new stretch already in place. Below is a link to the Corfu Today online newspaper. Normally I would edit it and put it up, but it is far to long, and there are two stories. Please click on the link. Yeiamas, Chris CORFU TODAY NEWS - UPDATE ON NEW AIRPORT AT LEFKIMMI
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jacks
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Post by jacks on Jul 15, 2009 16:09:21 GMT 2
So this isn't an airport in addition to the one already there, then? It's a brand new airport altogether?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 16:35:07 GMT 2
That is the basis of it Jacks. Some parts a bit ambiguous at the moment, but having kept up with the story, an answer is yes. There has been talk that regardless of the matter that Corfu airport as it is no is to close by 2012 (!!!), the mainland governments have been also talking of improving the airport at Preveza, which could serve Corfu. So in theory, those in the planning and as you see in the media, Corfu really needs to agree and accept that a New Airport is needed.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by artisans on Jul 15, 2009 17:53:53 GMT 2
Surely it makes more sense for the existing Kapodistrias airport to service domestic flights only (much like London City Airport), as many people taking internal flights want to go to town - the new airport catering for seasonal international flights. This was my understanding of the situation.
Steve
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2009 13:31:26 GMT 2
I do not think there is any confirmed ideas at the moment. Only that we know of a New Airport idea in Lefkimmi, or it could be in Preveza, and that it has been spoken that the present Corfu airport is to close by 2012.
From what I have read there is so much environemental issues with the present Corfu airport, that in my opinion, it is more than likely to close. However, I do agree that reducing its status as it stands to become an internal flight only airport could be a good thing.
As I said, speaking to a number of people from down south of the island, the infrastructure, the want, etc is there, and from the news stories it looks good. All we can do is sit back and see what takes place.
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Post by cuthbert on Jul 17, 2009 8:44:04 GMT 2
Err do you think the airport authorities know more then us otherwise why waste money extending the departure lounge? No airport is going to be built in two to three years. Probably spend thirty years deciding the plans, just look at how long it has taken to complete the hospital, CC
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2009 12:39:03 GMT 2
I could post many many news reports, statements, and other information both from online, and by word of mouth from Corfu, and in particular Lefkimmi, but it would take up too much space. In short over the last year, much has come out regarding the new airport at Lefkimmi. Including planning, environmental issues, development, and much more. It has been stated that no further work will be done on the present Corfu Airport. With regards to the already existing extensions, this was needed, again for a long time, and took time to come to fruition, but it was needed and needed now. Plans are afoot to close the airport in 2012, athough I do agree, this date might be a little premature, but another 30 years, I do not think so. We need to stop thinking back and bringing up issues such as this was in the planning 25 years ago. I too heard all those stories and media articles, and thought along the same lines. However, this planning has come about for a lot of reasons, reasons that have not been the issue before now.
The latest news to date was issued yesterday after two meetings earlier in the week. Although there is some environmental issues all groups such as Municipalites, PASOK, Evironment, etc are in agreement on a new airport in Lefkimmi.
All we can do is look to the news, statements etc, and see how it progresses. One thing for sure, it does look like a plan in the making this time.
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Post by artisans on Jul 17, 2009 18:03:19 GMT 2
Neither should one underestimate the resolve of Nikolas Dendias, the Minister of Justice who is 100% behind this project. He is a man to be reckoned with as more than one person in Roda will confirm.
Steve
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2009 12:46:37 GMT 2
The following news article is taken from the online Greek and English newspaper, "The Corfu Today", dated, Thursday 23rd July 2009. Here we have one of the first pictures identifying the probable location of the new airport, with the runway head out to Cape Lefkimmi. One has to admit, there is a lot of recent progress happening with this project. As Steve pointed out above the Minister of Justice, Nicholas Dendias is not a man to be messed with, and he is very very pro New Airport.
Yeiamas, Chris
Meeting for the airport on Saturday Lefkimi Prefecture
Meeting on setting the framework and timetable for dialogue on the potential siting of a new International Airport in Lefkimmi will take place Saturday July 25 at 10 am in the meeting room of the Prefectural Council. The meeting was organized jointly by Minister of Justice Nicholas Dendias and Prefect Stefanos Poulimenos, and invited Members to attend the Corfu Prefecture of the Mayors, are representatives of the three Chambers and all the tourist operators of Corfu.[/i]
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 15:54:21 GMT 2
The following news article is taken from the online Greek and English newspaper, The Corfu Today", dated Wednesday 29th July 2009. All systems go, with a lot of power behind the project. It is looking good from the government side, and of course from the locals down in Lefkimmi. Watch this space as they say.
Yeiamas, Chris
Five months of dialogue for the new airport
Defining a framework within which to place the relevant public debate on the proposal to construct a new airport in Lefkimmi was the subject of a meeting convened Saturday by Justice Minister Nicos Dendias and Prefect Stefanos Poulimenos. According to the Minister, the consultation must be completed by the end of the year as Corfu has to exploit the fact that the current leadership of the Ministry of Transport supports the launch of the project. The main issues which will initiate the dialogue according to the Prefect is of the inadequacy of the existing airport, the choice of Lefkimi for the construction of the airport, the environmental balance but also the construction of the north south road. Based on these lines will follow the debate in the municipal councils of all municipalities so that by the end of time be expressed by the local community the desire for a new airport in this position. It should be noted that as presented by the representative of the Scientific Society of Tourism Mr. Tsoumanis, the construction of the airport Lefkimmi included in the operational plan (1983-1987) of the then government. During the meeting, Mr Dendias noted the following:
"First we must all agree that after the presentation and deliberation we should enter a date in the discussion. There is no meaning to start a debate which will continue indefinitely. I think the suggestion of the Prefect to put the end of 2009 as the date of the schedule is correct as it ensures the concept of democratic consultation. This is the first time for a major project in the prefecture is a deep long discussion that will enable us to have this work if all players agree on a deep democratic legitimacy. All previous major choices made by people who chose right or wrong. Unfortunately, sometimes the wrong location, such as the new Hospital, which is why I believe that this process will allow us to make correct decisions. Then the Mr. Dendias stressed that the context of the questions that everyone will be invited to respond should be uniform, so the dialogue is to coordinate and lead to conclusions.
The questions raised are: 1 If it is necessary to build new airport 2.To provide a positive answer to the first question and adequate choice of location in Lefkimmi. 3.The issue of access, we must consider how to ensure access 4. The issue of funding. "I can not deny because I am always honest with you, that this work can not be built with 100% state funds, or by 80% from the state budget. It is a project that will be public participation, but it is a task for which they sought through various methods and private funds.” In these remarks, therefore, it is necessary in the sense that he will not find the money because it is not us but for the operation of a new venture for Corfu ie the use of private capital in a great place for infrastructure. " 5.There should be a space and any other observations that have a relevance. "So he said if the governor were completed by the end of September to analyze and debate by the end of the year we will reach somewhere in Corfu. I want to say that for me it is important to arrive with an overwhelming majority, because a narrow majority and conflict situations do not allow for large projects. Situations facing black flags in the streets do not allow execution of major projects. In such large projects and 47 and 48% in the do not work and secondly if we need that will give us time to see the last option is to appeal to a referendum which will see, but it is good until the end of the year to finish. There is a promise of political leadership to move this project is good to use, it is good to put that in a way, if we want. "
Who attended • At the meeting, had invited Members, Mayors and tour operators. Eventually attended the Mayors Palaiokastriton, Kasopaion, Achilleion, Western Europe, and Deputy KORISSION Corfu Mamalis Giannis. From the tourist agencies were present only the general curator of HATTA Vassilis Kontos and Mr. Tsoumanis, Dendrinos by Scientific Tourism Company. Chondrogiannis, Kastamonitis by the Chamber and the chairman of the TCG Corfu N. Spingos.[/i]
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