BergerWorld: 4th Quarter 2006

The Paraguayan government is currently undertaking an ambitious $139 million modernization project at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (SPIA), financed by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and administered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). SPIA, the country's principal national and international gateway, serves Asunción, the country's capital, and has handled as many as 600,000 passengers and 12,000 tons of cargo per year. To increase competitiveness at SPIA, IDB commissioned the Berger Group to conduct a feasibility study for the rehabilitation and modernization of the facility. The Team first evaluated future traffic demand and the condition of the airport's existing facilities. Berger then prepared an updated master plan for SPIA and its surrounding areas, including airside improvements, terminal improvements and commercial facilities. Upgrades to air traffic control equipment, runways, taxiways, aircraft maintenance and cargo handling facilities and airport access roads were also proposed. Additionally, a community survey was conducted to determine the noise-related impacts from current airport use and Berger experts proposed controlled development in the surrounding areas to reduce undesirable noise levels. Following the Team's studies, a detailed final report was submitted to IDB, the government of Paraguay and airport officials, outlining Berger's findings and recommending improvements.