Aeropuerto Ciudad Real Opens For Business

Acting on behalf of the project’s joint-venture contractor, the combined team produced detailed designs for all aspects of the airport. RPS designed the entire airside infrastructure including the runway, taxiways, aprons and associated drainage. The 4km long runway can accommodate aircraft as large as the new double-deck Airbus 380 – and the 65,000m² passenger apron and the 55,000m² cargo apron are suitable for a wide range of aircraft.

The airport was constructed in an undeveloped area – which necessitated sensitive design to minimise the impact on the local environment. Earthworks modelling by RPS minimised the volume of earth to be moved – but some 3 million cubic metres still had to be moved. Detailed and extensive drainage modelling was also undertaken by RPS to minimise the impact on the local watercourses of run-off from the large impermeable runway, aprons and buildings.

As well as providing a UK based design team, RPS also seconded staff to Aertec in Malaga to assist with the coordination of the airside infrastructure works with the elements of the project being designed by Aertec. These included the terminal building, cargo centre, business terminal, control tower, hangars and landside access.

The Airport is situated 180km south of Madrid and incorporates a station on the high-speed rail link between the south coast and Madrid. It is expected to attract low-cost airlines and cargo traffic that might otherwise have used Madrid Barajas Airport – and private aviation.

RPS and Aertec have worked on many joint-venture design projects both in Spain and the UK, providing clients with a truly international perspective of airport design. They are now looking to expand this highly successful relationship.