Bogotá has unveiled huge infrastructure investment plans

Colombian capital Bogotá has unveiled plans for a second international airport, El Dorado II.

Construction on the airport, build in the west of the city and designed to complement the existing El Dorado International Airport in the east, could begin as early as next year.

Simon Gaviria Muñoz, director of the National Planning Department of Colombia, said the government was beginning to map out the exact location of the airport and to secure land.

Officials expect to put out a tender for bids for construction contracts in about a year.

At the same time, airport operator Opaín has received authorisation to expand its terminal at the existing El Dorado Airport.

Runways will also be expanded and operational frequency will be increased, allowing for 90 take-offs and landings per hour, versus 52 currently.

El Dorado is already Latin America’s third-busiest airport, behind Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos and Benito Juárez in Mexico City.

Muñoz also confirmed government willingness to support Bogotá with funding for the construction of the city’s first subway line.

“The project constitutes the most important piece of infrastructure for the country, and is included in the National Development Plan 2014-2018,” said Muñoz.

The Colombian government has been conducting workshops with local authorities in Bogotá to review the funding strategy for the plan.