Slowly but surely I’m running out of words to express just how much I loathe this frosty weather and all the snow and ice on the construction site. It’s not just because my anthill is completely snowed under. No, what annoys me most is that construction work on the BBI is not progressing as quickly as usual. Outdoor work is extremely arduous in the frost and bitter cold, and we can’t do any concreting at the moment either. Glass installation at the terminal is also proceeding more slowly than we are normally used to.

But at least we are making headway with the construction work inside the terminal, the true heart of the airport. And that is just as important, of course. The day before yesterday, we handed over the baggage sorting hall to Vanderlande Industries, which is now starting to install the baggage conveyor system. My lads have spent the past few weeks getting the 20,000-square-metre baggage hall ready, laying cables, installing the sprinkler system and laying the floor.

Still, I’m not seriously worried about being ready in time for the opening of the BBI– despite the current below-zero temperatures. The date is firmly fixed for 30 October 2011, by which time the first aircraft will be able to take off and land punctually at the BBI. We are determined to have everything up and running by then, even if my lads have to work in three-shift rotation all through the summer to manage it. And we will manage it!

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