OREANDA-NEWS. On 11 March 2009 was announced, that a new air terminal was inaugurated in the city of Mary. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the inauguration ceremony ahead of a meeting of the Council of Elders scheduled for March 6 in the city of Turkmenabat. The Council is expected to discuss issues related to further reforms in agricultural sector of Turkmenistan.

The original two-storey building with area of nearly 3,500 square meters was built by Turkish Efor company with the participation of Turkmen workers. The total cost of the project is USD 5 million. The air terminal has the capacity of 300 passengers per hour. It boasts modern equipment, electronic information boards and escalators.

According to official reports, the launch of the new air terminal has made it possible to upgrade the airport of Mary province to international status. A new 3,5 thousand meter runway was built at the airport a few years ago. It can take airplanes weighing up to 400 tons. There were also built a taxiway and a platform with parking places for wide-body airplanes.