Driven by the view that efficiently operating a small airport in Harghita County would have a positive impact on the economic development of the region, Mr. Csaba Borboly has visited the small airport in Drobeta Turnu Severin city, Mehedinți County, Romania, having the main aim of getting to know how it is operated.
The county council president declared that ‘from the perspective of the region’s economic development, supporting and operating small airports would be highly beneficial since at the moment it does not seem that a highway would be developed near Harghita County. Otherwise, even if a highway would be built between Brașov and Bucharest, respectively between Târgu-Mureș and Budapest, these distances could be taken in a much shorter time by travelling with a small airplane, which would be favoured for example by entrepreneurs and investors. In addition, it would also contribute to the boost of tourist traffic in the region. More people have signalled that they would travel with a small airplane, for example, after landing at the international airport in Târgu-Mureș.’
He also added that within the framework of Harghita County Council’s partnership and twinned collaboration programme more successful activities could be conducted if the guests from abroad could come more frequently, by travelling with a small airplane from the international airports. From this perspective also, the establishment of small airport system would be justified in Harghita County and in other parts of Seklerland too. Such an investment would be beneficial for the successful collaboration between regions since Harghita County and Seklerland could be easier accessible for those willing to travel here for personal or business reasons as well.
As the county council president proved, owned to small airports it is possible that anybody in Miercurea Ciuc working in his or her office in the morning, to have a meeting during the day in the other part of the country, around half thousand kilometres away, then to get back in the afternoon, still in working time to finish the duties set up for that day. This would be an efficient and flexible solution for institutions’ leaders, entrepreneurs and would function as an advantage for the region.
Mr. Csaba Borboly stated that ‘we cannot wait till the highway will be built; we have to act and seek further possibilities for the purpose of making our region more accessible for those wishing to invest and spend money in our region.’
In the course of the meeting held with Mr. Endre Molnár Lucian, the administrator of the small airport in Drobeta Turnu Severin, they have reviewed and discussed about other best practices in the country for operating small airports. The administrator reported about the fact that the Mehedinți County Council provided a positive feedback on the idea also. This county council even supports the events organized by airplane clubs and it is partner also in applying EU funds for the purpose of financing the necessary developments.
One of the benefits of the investment would be that after Romania will be part of the Shenghen Area then with a small airplane would be possible to travel directly to Budapest, Hungary or even much further, without the necessity of landing at any border international airport for control of travel documents. There are plenty of initiatives in Seklerland for operating small airports, which endeavors should be held together, also initiating the relaunch of small airports that were closed down. Mr. Csaba Borboly initiated to call upon the importance of this issue by discussing with the mayors of Harghita County and of the neighboring counties also, respectively with other concerned parties.
The county council president emphasized that Harghita County is also supporting the development of the international airport in Brașov, it has a share in the investment since it considers the establishment of this airport to be of great importance, along with the international airport of Târgu-Mureș. However, there are several possibilities lying in air traffic that cannot be offered and fulfilled by larger companies. The county would also need such investments in order to be the beneficiary of plenty opportunities, for example business meetings and consultations that at the moment cannot because of the lack of the highway and of small airports.
He also called the attention on the fact that within a few months the new EU-funded project applications are going to be launched for the period of 2014-2020, and he expressed his hope that in order to develop the small airport in Siculeni (a small community near the county town) it could be applied via a public-private partnership for financing support, in such a way as the tax-paying population of Harghita County should not have to pay anything in this respect.
The movie made with the occasion of the fly within the abovementioned meeting can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrscJjSEMgE&feature=youtu.be, as well as for those interested, pictures may be found on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/116225383222509310338/albums/5945313603098503201?banner=pwa.
Miercurea Ciuc, 19th of November 2013.
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