USTDA Supports Expansion Plans for Colombia's Largest Airport

(USTDA) BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – Today, the Special Administrative Unit for Civil Aeronautics of Colombia (also known as Aerocivil) and U.S. engineering services firm T.Y. Lin (Coral Gables, FL) signed a contract to update the master plan for the development of El Dorado International Airport in Bogota. This contract was made possible through a grant made by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to support the expansion of Colombia's aviation sector, a key driver of Colombia's economic growth.

As a result of Colombia's economic success and security gains over the past decade, El Dorado International Airport has witnessed tremendous and unanticipated growth in passenger traffic. The technical assistance contract, valued at over $891,000, will establish criteria for the capacity and efficiency improvements needed for the modernization and expansion of El Dorado International Airport, Colombia's largest and most important airport. The Master Plan Update will also include recommendations for equipment, particularly related to terminal technology and security improvements, representing export opportunities for U.S. firms involved in the aviation sector.

"USTDA has a robust working relationship with Aerocivil, and we are proud to support this important project for the further development of Colombia's air transportation infrastructure," said USTDA Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Nathan Younge.

Previously, USTDA assisted Aerocivil by developing a CNS/ATM Transition Plan and a related Aeronautical Meteorology System, which has thus far resulted in the acquisition of more than $10 million in exports of U.S.-manufactured goods and services. More recently, Aerocivil participated in USTDA's Aviation Cooperation Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean, which enabled Colombian officials to gain greater exposure to U.S. technologies and best practices in airport modernization and general aviation.

The contract was signed by on behalf of Aerocivil by Director General Santiago Castro, and on behalf of T.Y. Lin by Juan Nuñez, Vice President. They were joined at the signing ceremony by Cynthia A. Griffin, Regional Director for the Western Hemisphere, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Nicole DeSilvis, Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.