International Airport. Here?

Say it isn't so....

The state government of Bahia has announced an international airport to be built not far from the base of the Maraú Península in Itacaré. And after the airport, the deluge? We would normally expect grandiose new megaresorts and other projects of dubious taste which new international airports spawn across the planet. Pressure to develop the Maraú Península will be enormous.

But there ARE reasons to hope......


Residents, vacation home owners and businesses serving higher socio-economic visitors seeking the rare and unspoiled hope that by the time the airport is ready, land available to high impact development will have become scarce. The prevailing theory is that as land is bought up by out of state Brazilians and foreigners, land available for mammoth, 5 star pleasure palaces to culturally and esthetically pollute the Península- will be locked up, made unavailable.

But there are much stronger reasons to hope the onslaught wil be contained: the geography; our wonderful/outrageous 'roads'; strong state and municipal APA's (Environmental Protection Reserves); and broad local support for 'go slow' development. In fact, the Península has a unique opportunity to discourage massive, disorderly development. Few here will tolerate the Península being overwhelmed by the conveyor belt of air charters and scheduled airline flights which everywhere follow inauguration of a new, international airport.

Let's keep our fingers crossed....


Article translated from the principle Salvador, Bahia newspaper, A TARDE, 25/11/06.......

"ILHEUS TO HAVE NEW AIRPORT IN TWO YEARS"

"The new Ilhéus airport to be built half way between Ilheus and Itacaré will be able to accommodate large commercial aircraft, becoming the new Gateway (to Southern Bahia) not only for Brazilian tourists but, significantly, for international investors. According to Hilton Gordilho, Supervisory Director of the Department of State Infrastructure, the airport project forms part of the State Transportation Logistics Program (PELT-BA) for which studies are underway. The airport is to be built on almost 8 million square meters in partnership with private investment and the Brazilian Air Force Central Command. Work is scheduled to begin within 1 to 2 years. Runways will be 3,000 meters long and permit take off and landing for large international aircraft. !t 1,577 meters, the current Jorge Amado Airport at Ilhéus is inadequate for large aircraft. Ilhéus, Itacaré, Itabuna and Camamú are expected to benefit greatly."