The
Infrastructure Ministry of Ukraine has obtained consent of Chinese partners to
reformat the Air Express project to build a rail link between Kyiv city and the
Boryspil International Airport.
The press service of the ministry reported that the
proposals to reformat the project were presented to a Chinese delegation headed
by Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Zhang Xiyun.
Infrastructure Minister Andriy Pyvovarsky said that
the necessity to reformat the project had appeared due to the radical change of
the geopolitical and economic situation in Ukraine.
"Now the issue of the largest efficiency of using
the resources is the most important. When the [Air Express] project appeared,
the Boryspil airport was actively developing, and the Kyiv city and region's
potential was enough to justify the need in the project. However, today it
would be unfeasible international its initial form. It is would be better for
Ukraine to return funds provided for construction or change the focus,"
the minister said.
In turn, acting Board Chairman of Ukrzaliznytsia
Oleksandr Zavhorodniy said that, taking into account the social importance and
the necessity to develop transport connection between the Boryspil airport and
Kyiv, it is proposed to implement the light version of the Air Express with the
simplified construction scheme.
"Cutting the term and the cost of the project, we
would be able to release a part of credit funds to electrify railway sections
in eastern Ukraine that would bring transport flows to the airport," he
said.
Executive Director of the China Machinery Engineering
Corporation Sun Bai said that the corporation is ready to support the changes
proposed by Ukrzaliznytsia, although the final decision will be made by the
Chinese government. Chinese specialists are to study the new project in details
and discuss it with Ukrainian railway specialists. The experts of the two
countries are to draw up new technical documents, amend the budget and
construction plans. Then the project is to be defended at the Chinese
government.
Ambassador Xiyun supported the action plan.
The Air Express national project is comprised of the
construction of a passenger rail link between Kyiv and Boryspil International
Airport and the related construction of other infrastructure objects in Kyiv
region. It is aimed at ensuring the development of transport infrastructure,
strengthening the competitive position of Ukrainian airlines, and raising the
investment and tourist attractiveness of the country. Since June 2015, the
project has been under the management of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
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