wtorek, 17 stycznia 2012

EURO 2012 Airports Will Be Completed by New Year

Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Infrastructure, Boris Kolesnikov, responsible for EURO 2012 issues in the Government, said that the newly constructed or renovated terminals will be put into operation by March, 2012. However, the major part of the construction and repair work would be completed by the end of 2011.

“Kharkov airport is nearly completed along with the new runway,” commented Boris Kolesnikov. “Donetsk airport along with Lviv and Kiev one will be finished by December, 20-25. Than begins the installation of necessary equipment and staff’s trainings. Starting form the last Sunday of March, the world sticks to the summer schedule of flights, therefore, from that very day all EURO 2012 airports will welcome passengers!”

Kiev. Two airport of Ukrainian capital are going to attend the guests of the championship, the major one is “Boryspil” and additional one is “Kiev” (“Zhulyani”). The terminal D of the Boryspil International Airport will be put into operation in December. Its project was corrected by Government in autumn. So new plan foresees the incensement of passenger traffic, therefore, the terminal will be able to serve 3000 per hour.

Moreover, new terminal will serve not only the international flights but also domestic ones. Thereby, the terminal D will be so-called transit point for those that want to arrive to Kharkov, Lviv and Donetsk via Kiev. The changed project foresees the VIP zone and parking area for 233 lots.

In general, only Boryspil airport will amplify its capacity and will be able to attend 6 thousand passengers per hour. This number exceeds the UEFA requirements in 1.5 times.

Donetsk. The International Airport “Donetsk” is situated in several minutes ride from the EURO 2012 Donbass Arena and after the completions will be the second largest airport in Ukraine. Its capacity will be some 3000 people per hour, and the runway is ready to land 36 airliners hourly, including the heaviest one.

Three terminals of Donetsk airport are going to cover UEFA requirement for the passenger traffic: the historical one (250 passengers per hour), newly built one (2.000 passengers hourly), its competition scheduled on December 28, and the temporary one (1.000 passengers every hour).

By the ways, the Donetsk Oblast Council decided to name the airport after Sergei Prokofiev, famous conductor, composer and pianist of XX century that was born in Donetsk Oblast.

Kharkov. The International Airport “Kharkiv” will work during EURO 2012 according to Donetsk airport scheme. Three terminals will serve 2.500 passengers per hour: the main one, divided into two “sub-terminals” (for international and domestic flights), VIP-terminal and temporary terminal.

VIP-terminal, inaugurated in September by UEFA President Michel Platini itself, during June, 2012 will attend top-officials of countries and European Football Union along with footballers and functionaries of national teams. The engineers and architects decided to conserve the historical design of the Kharkov airport. So the restaurateurs renewed the original façade and interior of the terminal.

Lviv. Modernized Lviv airport will be put into operation on December, 20. It’s was decided to name it after King Danylo Halytskyi. As in the case of Boryspil Airport, in the middle of November, Government approved changes to the construction project. Therefore, the expenditures increased by a third, however, Lviv will get more benefits.

Firstly, the capacity of the airport is doubled, as opposed to the original project, till 2.000 passengers hourly. Secondly, new project foresees the creation of the network of fixed communication in the airport (it’s a necessary requirement for the security), and informational system destined to attend 2 thousand passengers per hour (i.e. all passengers served in hour). Thirdly, the airport superficies is enlarged by a fifth.

17 trains to ply between Ukraine and Poland for EURO 2012

Fans that are going to visit final round of European football championship will have a great possibility to commute host-cities quickly and comfortably because Ukraine and Poland are about to launch 17 trains that will ply between cities during EURO 2012. 9.000 people is estimated daily traffic.

Janusz Malinowski, the CEO of Poland railway communications (PKP Intercity) added that major part of those trains would cross the border on the Dorohusk - Yagodyn (Volin oblast) and Przemysl - Mostyska (Lviv oblast) checkpoints. Also he told that exact schedule of passengers’ trains likely to be elaborated by March therefore fans and guests would have a chance to purchase tickets three months before the championship’s start.

In addition, Janusz Malinowski said that his company leaded some negotiations with main transporters of various countries in order to launch some international routes. After their terminations, the schedule of trains will be fixed including of those one that will run between cities during European football championship.

As we informed previously, Ukraine will launch high-speed trains between host cities to provide EURO 2012 guests and fans with comfort during their traveling. In late 2011 in Korea, Hyundai company presented trains that Ukraine is going to purchase for EURO 2012 purpose. So, these one differs a lot from used by Ukrainian railways. The modern coaches are in conformity with latest technical standards, accommodated with comfortable seats and also have special places for handicapped people, wide shelves for hand luggage, TV screens, and access to wireless Internet.

Ukraine’s planning to get first two Hyundai train till January-February, other four will be delivered by spring. Starting from May, new trains will run between Ukrainian host cities of EURO 2012. According to authorities responsible for country’s preparation for championship the price of the second class won’t exceed 220 grivnas (€21), and when booking them beforehand – even chipper, some 160-180 grivnas (€17).

Moreover, all trains that ply in Ukraine will be distributed by euro categories. So, while buying tickets, both Ukrainian passengers and foreign tourists will know the level of services and comforts that they will obtain during their journey.

It’s planned to introduce nine categories: six day time and tree overnight trains. The day time trains are the following: “Intercity Plus” (IC+) speed up to 200 km/h (it is Hyundai trains that will got such a category), “Intercity” (IC) up to 160 km/h, also “Regional Express” (RE) and “Regional Train” (RT) up to 140 km/h. All of them are provided with second and third class coaches. This category also includes Commuter trains (P) and City (M) trains. The overnight trains will have following denominations – “Overnight Express” (NE), “Overnight Fast Train” (NS) and “Overnight Passenger Train” (NP). Each train will have its own design and symbols that will help to indentify the train and coach category.