Havana's José Martí International Airport has been carrying out, for some years now, several investment processes to improve the conditions of the facility and offer a better quality service to passengers.
One of the projects that are about to enter into service is the expansion of the Terminal 3 Arrivals Hall, which, according to Aliesky Gaspar Rojas, general coordinator of the airport, will improve the flow of arrivals by reducing passenger wait times to less than 45 minutes, in line with international standards.
Its execution faced significant challenges, including financing problems and others associated with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, significant progress has been made in the last two years.
Although it was initially designed for two X-Rays, the executive commented that another piece of equipment was included to speed up the flow of baggage through the newly installed mat, which will allow a greater number of large flights to be handled in the shortest possible time.
"Once the international team that developed the mat certifies its operation, it will be ready to start operating and, with it, the opening of the expansion," said Gaspar Rojas.
He added that in the other arrivals hall, work is being done to replace the slabs, a job that will be carried out in the early morning, when there is less passenger flow, so as not to affect the terminal's operations.
Gaspar Rojas said that the new space contemplated the paneling, the roof, the metallic structures, the aluminum carpentry, the floor, the equipment of the mat and the three X-Rays for the use of Customs; besides the parking and the socio-administrative of the special equipment.
He explained that another advantage with the new hall is that the transfer of expedited or rush baggage (that which travels without the passenger) will be carried out within the facility until it reaches the Lost and Found hall.
SOLUTIONS IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
In this regard, the airport's general coordinator said that in August, difficulties were encountered in Terminal 3, so ten roof-top air conditioning systems were installed, which allow for greater air flow: four in the last departure hall, two in the immigration hall and another four for the arrivals hall.
He added that, in investment process, is the acquisition of two new chillers and two cooling towers, the equipment needed by Terminal 3. The roof-top, said Gaspar Rojas, were an alternative to amortize the situation last year, but will remain as a complement to the air conditioning system.
On the other hand, he said that spare parts and parts for the mats are in the process of being purchased, in order to carry out maintenance and extend their use, as well as part of the outdoor lights, with solar energy supply, and LED lamps for the interiors.
He added that in 2021, with the opening of flights after COVID-19, a repair was made to all the bathrooms of the facility, so that scheduled maintenance is carried out to keep quality, and a generator set was acquired for the technical water block, in order not to stop pumping in case of damage.
Another investment in process is focused on the purchase of four new escalators for the lobby and three new elevators: two in the immigration hall and a freight elevator at door b-15.
A TERMINAL WITH ENERGY BACKUP
Gaspar Rojas explained that during the energy contingency that the country experienced during the last months of 2024 due to meteorological events and the disconnections of the National Electric System, Havana Airport continued to operate normally.
He assured that it has full backup to continue its operations, which includes all systems: runways, terminals, control tower and weather service.
He specified that, as a result of deficiencies arising from the contingencies, a project is being worked on to create an island of generators to guarantee 100% of the electricity demand.
On the other hand, he noted that the expansion of Terminal 2 is a long-term project. "The idea is that the current structure will remain as an exit, and the new structure will focus on arrivals, on the expansion of the apron for more aircraft positions, and on the commercial areas".
