BRATISLAVA, July 4, (WEBNOVINY) — The state intends to transfer its majority stakes in small airports in Poprad, Zilina and Sliac free of charge back to counties and cities that were or are their stockholders. The Transport, Construction and Regional Development Ministry, a majority stockholder representing the state, has suggested that the respective self-governments take over the three airports by late 2013. The state’s minority share in the Piestany Airport is to be transferred to the Trnava County and the town of Piestany by late 2011, pursuant to the Cabinet’s decision from September 2009. The respective draft concept for the operation of small airports will be forwarded to the next Cabinet session by Transport Minister Jan Figel (KDH).
The new owners will be required to keep the airports operational at least for ten years. “The preparations for handing the airports over to regions will start already in 2011,” the Transport Ministry has stated. Unless the self-governments show interest in the offered facilities, the airports will be rented to private investors. Another option considered by the ministry is to sell the stakes of the state. Opposition SMER-SD MP and former Transport Minister Lubomir Vazny slammed the draft concept for not clearly outlining the future for the airports. Vazny underscored that regions won’t be able to fund them until 2016.
SITA