Rodrigues Airport Project

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Mauritius has undergone significant economic transformation since gaining independence in 1968, leading to a GDP per capita of US$10,216 in 2022, the second highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, Rodrigues, a small volcanic island in the Republic of Mauritius, still faces more considerable development challenges than the main island, further complicated by its considerable vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. Tourism is a key opportunity for the development of the island, with the islands tourism development plan aiming to attract higher-spending international tourists and encourage longer stays, while the sustainable development plan for Rodrigues seeks to increase the island's carrying capacity.Tourist arrivals on Rodrigues Island have shown continuous growth over the past two decades, with a high in 2019 of around 78,000 visitors. Following the reopening of borders in March 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic, Rodrigues experienced a surge in demand for air travel, amplifying the need for improvements in its air infrastructure. The goal for 2030 is to accommodate 120,000 passengers, which will require upgrading the airport to allow larger jet aircrafts, thus reducing travel time, increasing cargo transport capacity, and attracting more direct flights. The new runway at the airport will enable Rodrigues to amplify tourism's impact on the island's economy and society.Rodrigues airport has limited connectivity due to its short runway, which affects the type of aircraft that can land there, airlines' operating costs, ticket fares, growth, and cargo opportunities. To address these limitations, a new runway is proposed at Rodrigues airport, which will allow large single-aisle jet aircraft with greater passenger and luggage capacity to land there, thereby also facilitating more direct flights from international locations. The new runway will also enhance Rodrigues Island's resilience to climate change impacts, improving the island's preparedness and response to disasters, and ensuring a regular supply of necessities. The construction of the new runway will also enable air cargo services, vital for the import and export of high-value perishable goods, supporting the development of high-yield tourism on the island.The project will finance the following components: Component 1: Infrastructure Development (US$170 million - indicative)The project will fund the construction of a new 2,100 m long by 45 m wide runway, new taxiways, aircraft parking stands, apron expansion, stormwater drains, airfield ground lighting, control systems, floodlighting, navigational aids, and building infrastructure. The new runway will have a 140m clear strip on either side of the centerline and includes Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) complying with ICAO standards at either end. The project also includes the construction of a new control tower, a rescue and fire-fighting station, a boat house, ramp and jetty, a new meteo building, quarantine building, power center building, and cold storage and incinerator buildings. These facilities adhere to energy-efficient performance standards equivalent to Level 1 EDGE Certification and are fully electrified, using renewable energy sources wherever practical. The design, operations, and maintenance of these facilities consider resilience features, particularly flooding. The project will also finance the construction of new taxiways, aircraft parking stands, and apron expansion. The apron expansion will have ground power units for all new aircraft parking stands. Additional infrastructure includes a perimeter road, service road, fencing, a gate post, access roads, a car park, landscaping works, and new power and water supply systems.Component 2: Technical Assistance for Project Implementation and Sector Development (US$10 million - indicative)Sub-component 2.1: Support to aviation sector development and air transport liberalization. This sub-component will encompass technical assistance to the government to support growth and resilience in the aviation sector. It will support the government to identify options for the sector to sustain growth and competitiveness of the economy. It will also support assessment of the potential climate change impact on Plaine Corail airport infrastructure and operations Additionally, it will finance capacity building to enhance safety oversight, bolster expertise, and ensure Mauritius’s compliance with the Chicago Convention and its annexes for effective aviation safety. Training initiatives will focus on climate change, resilience, promoting women in aviation, and aviation safety for ARL, AML, and relevant GoM staff.Sub-component 2.2: Support to project implementation. This will include the financing of necessary consultancy services, studies, equipment, and technical assistance for the direct management of the project, such as the recruitment of a Project Implementation Unit, the PIU’s Project Technical Units, environmental and social studies and audits, trainings, among others. Component 3: Supporting Rodrigues’ sustainable development with a particular focus on water and food security (US$10 million - indicative) This component will support local governments, rural communities, and the private sector on Rodrigues Island to implement a sustainable territorial development strategy by financing technical assistance and small key investments that enhance Rodrigues’ agri-food system and water resources sustainability, with significant participation by women in fisheries and agriculture. Sub-component 3.1: Strengthening of the local food systems. This sub-component aims to enhance food security, value addition, and reduction in food waste through technical assistance and capacity building for local authorities in areas like extension services, fisheries management, post-harvest efficiency, and food safety. It seeks collaboration with local institutions and the private sector to secure reliable food access and increase exports from Rodrigues. Technical support will align with the Sustainable and Profitable Fisheries Strategy 2023-2032 for Rodrigues, with a focus on developing untapped off-lagoon potential.Sub-component 3.2: Supporting improved water management and development. This sub-component will finance technical assistance and small investments to support the strengthening of Integrated Water Resources Management and Development (IWRMD) in Rodrigues Island. It includes small works for the protection and rehabilitation of existing water sources, assessing the potential of groundwater, identifying and designing new reservoirs, developing sanitation improvement plans, institutional development support for Rodrigues Public Utilities Company (RPUC), and technical assistance for the development of regulation and technical standards for desalination plants.Component 4: Supporting the sustainable development of the Tourism sector in Rodrigues (US$10 million equivalent)Sub-component 4.1: Supporting tourism promotion and attraction of investments. Initiatives include a review of institutional capacity followed by a tailored strengthening program, support for green certification, and hiring an international branding consultancy to develop a distinctive brand for Rodrigues. This involves creating a brand manual, training programs, brand signage, digital marketing strategies, and upgrading local handicraft producers. The sub-component will also support improvement of government-to-business services, including digitization of registration, licensing, and permitting procedures in the tourism sector to enhance attraction of investments.Sub-component 4.2: Skills development to support the tourism sector. This sub-component will finance a comprehensive skills development program in Rodrigues' tourism sector. Implemented by a specialized hospitality training entity, the program will offer targeted courses for a range of tourism-related roles including hotel management, service staff, maintenance personnel, tour g