Abinader announces first groundbreaking for the second terminal of AILA on August 13th

SANTO DOMINGO.– President Luis Abinader announced this Tuesday that on August 13th the first groundbreaking will take place to begin the construction of a second terminal at the Las Américas International Airport (AILA), as part of the commitments made in the renegotiation of the contract with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom).

The announcement was made during his participation in the traditional lunch of the Corripio Communications Group, where the president addressed various issues of national interest, including infrastructure, foreign trade, and budget execution.

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“In addition to the works already underway with resources from the renegotiated contract, next week we will formally begin the second terminal of the AILA,” Abinader pointed out, who also reported that a special commission will follow up on these projects.

Said commission is chaired by the Canarian engineer and comprised of communicators and technicians such as Rafael Cano and Rafael Maldonado, with the aim of guaranteeing the proper execution and transparency in the use of resources derived from the contract with Aerodom.

Infrastructure with contract funds

The Head of State highlighted that thanks to this renegotiation, important infrastructure works have been able to be financed in Greater Santo Domingo, including:

• The overpass at the intersection of Pintura Avenue with 27 de Febrero, which will be inaugurated before October.
• A road solution at kilometer 9 of the Duarte highway.
• Road interventions on República de Colombia and Jacobo Majluta avenues, including an overpass at the exit of La Victoria.

Abinader clarified that the redesign of some of these works has involved additional costs, especially due to expropriation processes. In the case of the Republic of Colombia, he explained that the original plans were modified to avoid affecting the National Botanical Garden. "The previous design went through the Botanical Garden. We made the necessary modifications to protect that area, even if it means an additional cost," he pointed out.

Trade and Relations with the U.S.

In other news, the president addressed the issue of tariffs applied by the United States, assuring that the Dominican Republic has not been subject to increases like other countries. "We are in permanent contact with the U.S. Department of Commerce and with Ambassador Grier. We have not been increased, as other countries have. We continue to handle this issue with prudence, diplomacy, and intelligence," he said. Finally, Abinader valued that even critics like former President Leonel Fernández have recognized the achievements made with the renegotiation of the contract with Aerodom, which he considers a sign of the efficient and responsible use of public resources.