April 2020 for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport

La Seu d'Urgell Airport in Catalunya, outside Andorra serves the Andorran airspace. The EFA claims that the failure of the GPS makes an airport essential in the country

April 2020 for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport

The EFA claims that the failure of the GPS makes an airport essential in the country

The principality of Andorra shares two similar items with San Marino. Both have two active heads of state and both are reliant on airports outside their borders.

April 2020 for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport.The EFA claims that the failure of the GPS makes an airport essential in the country. La Seu d’Urgell Airport serves the Andorran airspace
April 2020 for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport.The EFA claims that the failure of the GPS makes an airport essential in the country. La Seu d’Urgell Airport serves the Andorran airspace

Andorra’s location in the middle of the Pyrenees mountain range, is a magnet for skiers and mountain lovers alike. The key is to bring in those visitors.

When the idea of building an altiport – an aerodrome in mountainous terrain was discarded due to its difficulty, the alternative that was obvious for all was to turn to La Seu d’Urgell Airport, just across the border in Spain, into Andorra’s air gateway.

The airport is on a flat-top hill and has seen little action since regular flights to Barcelona were abandoned in the early 1980s. But this can change soon with a renovation program.

Local topography and runway length do not allow aircrafts bigger than the 27-meter ATR turboprop. Still this could be a good start for people busing into the resort.

Two separate airline start-ups – Andorra Airlines and Air Andorra have interest in this airport, but have not started to operate yet.

The most famous person to have landed in Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell Airport is Elton John, who landed here in 2015 on a way to a concert in Andorra.

April 2020 for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport.Map of Andorra. The EFA claims that the failure of the GPS makes an airport essential in the country.
April 2020 for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport.Map of Andorra. The EFA claims that the failure of the GPS makes an airport essential in the country.

Mora claims to “put on the table” negotiations with the EU to improve the rest of the infrastructure

 

The Andorran Family Business (EFA) demands that the new Government mark as a priority the construction of an airport in national territory. The request was made by the president of the entity, Francesc Mora, with reference to the latest announcement by Spanish Minister of Development, José Luis Ábalos, who has set at least for April 2020 umpteenth date for the possible implementation of the GPS system at the Andorra-La Seu airport. «In November, they told us that we would have GPS in May. Then he was postponed for the fall and now we have already spent the next year, “Mora recalled, then said that” Andorra as a country cannot be waiting for an agenda that does not control “but has to take “a sovereign decision”.

In this way, the EFA reiterated its support for the Chamber of Commerce and its president, Miquel Armengol, a defender of the need for an Andorran airport, who announced that, unlike of the urgency airport, the GPS navigation system would not present so many complications in Andorra, since “the approach system is not homologable in the Headquarters has nothing to do with what it is not possible to implement here.”

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Pal Arinsal will invest 3 million euros in improvements for the 2019-20 season

Pal Arinsal will invest 3 million euros in improvements for the 2019-20 season. Photo: Vallnord Pal Arinsal.

Pal Arinsal will invest 3 million euros in improvements for the 2019-20 season

The Comú de la Massana will make a contribution of 1.4 million euros to EMAP (Pal-Arinsal). This amount, added to the 1.6 contributed by the same resort, will be used for snowmaking and the improvement of the pistes.

Pal Arinsal's one of its covered magic carpets. Photo: Pal Arinsal. Pal Arinsal will invest 3 million euros in improvements for the 2019-20 season.
Pal Arinsal’s one of its covered magic carpets. Photo: Pal Arinsal. Pal Arinsal will invest 3 million euros in improvements for the 2019-20 season.

Of the 3 million that will be invested this summer, 1.6 are contributed by the EMAP company and 1.4 are contributed by Comú de La Massana.

The Andorran domain has been ending the ski season with profit for seven years, so it can carry out an investment plan, in conjunction with the contribution made by the parish of La Massana, the sole owner of the company.

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Grandvalira heads into the weekend with more slopes open and a packed schedule of activities

Photo: Grandvalira, Andorra. HOW WOULD A NO-DEAL BREXIT AFFECT THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY? MPI BROKERS GIVES ITS INTERPRETATION OF INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

Grandvalira heads into the weekend with more slopes open and a packed schedule of activities

  •  The resort is working towards opening the Àliga World Cup slope to the public soon
  •  Family activities, sports experiences and plenty of culinary opportunities will fill the resort with winter fun

Grandvalira heads into the weekend with all six sectors running at full capacity. The resort is currently working to increase its kilometres of skiable slopes. It now has 90% of its ski lifts up and running and plans to prepare 170 km of slopes.  The latest news is that El Tarter plans to open the iconic Àliga slope to the public. This season, the piste will become one of the venues for the 2019 World Cup Finals.

Photo: Grandvalira: 15 Jan 2019. Grandvalira heads into the weekend with more slopes open and a packed schedule of activities.
Photo: Grandvalira: 15 Jan 2019. Grandvalira heads into the weekend with more slopes open and a packed schedule of activities.

Weather forecasts indicate that, from Thursday 17 January, clouds will gather in the mountains and leave some fresh layers of snow. Meanwhile, teams on the ground are working hard to guarantee the quality and safety standards required for winter sports.

Activities for all the family

This weekend, Grandvalira aims to fill the resort with a wide range of activities for all audiences.

World Snow Day:

On Sunday 20 January, the Soldeu sector will mark World Snow Day with a series of activities for children. Parallel skiing, giant slalom and mini ski cross sessions will begin at 9:30 a.m., as well as various workshops in the Ski School’s snow garden. Hot chocolate will be served at 11:30 a.m. at Pla d’Espiolets.

Sledding by night:

Grandvalira is now offering night-time sledding on the La Solana/Tubs slope in the Pas de la Casa sector. At the bottom of the La Solana chair lift, visitors will find a marquee with sleds available to rent for €10 (no time limit, until 8 p.m.). Users can enjoy a discounted price of €5 in the final hour (7 p.m.–8 p.m.). The slope, which also offersnight-time skiing, is lit up every Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. to host these two activities.

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Continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience.

Continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience. - Photo: Grandvalira.

The Continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience.

 An exciting new period for the ski sector and the Principality of Andorra has opened up with the biggest resort in southern Europe combining with the field of snow in Ordino to offer a pioneering ski experience with a total of 240 skiable kilometres

Nevasa will continue with brand marketing and communication, integrating the Arcalís products into their work. 

Grandvalira after a snowstorm. The continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience. - Photo: Grandvalira.
Grandvalira after a snowstorm. The continuity of Grandvalira guaranteed for the long term with the addition of Ordino Arcalís to their skiing experience. – Photo: Grandvalira.

Yesterday good news came through for Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís with the continuation of the agreement between the two companies that compose Grandvalira – SAETDE and ENSISA. The two have announced in 2017 that they were going to split, giving uncertainty to the Grandvalira umbrella brand, where one lift was used for the areas of Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Emcamp. It was more a pity, as Grandvalira is a very successful brand that have increased the quantity of skiers days a lot in the last years. And I know the team behind Grandvalira, and they work their socks off! So I am glad, that thankfully, the two sides could come to an agreement, and what is also super exciting is that Ordino Arcalis have come along to their ski offer. Many locals that leave in Andorra la Vella or in the bases of Grandvalira, go on the weekend to ski Ordino as its freeskiing terrain is incredible. That is why Ordino Arcalis is a proud host of the Freeride World Tour.

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The FIS commends preparations for the Soldeu El Tartar World Cup Finals

Grandvalira is the largest resort under one lift ticket in Andorra. Photo courtesy Grandvalira.

The FIS commends preparations for the Soldeu El Tartar World Cup Finals

Experts in charge of the International Ski Federation posted to the Andorran resort praise the competitive stage and the readiness of the organising committee in every aspect

Press Conference FIS at the Nordic Hotel 3rd October. Photo courtesy Grandvalira.
Press Conference FIS at the Nordic Hotel 3rd October. Photo courtesy Grandvalira.

Soldeu El Tarter has been visited by the highest-ranking representatives of the International Ski Federation (FIS) from the men’s and women’s alpine ski World Cup circuit, as well as the Infront Sports and Media operations team, the production company responsible for the worldwide television broadcast. The aim of the meeting has been to thoroughly address all matters relating to the organisation of the 2019 World Cup Finals, ranging from the most operational, technical and purely sports aspect to the more social and promotional aspect.

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Grandvalira hosts the European Cup finals, the precursor to the 2019 World Cup finals

SOLDEU, ANDORRA - FEBRUARY 27: Lindsey Vonn of USA competes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup WomenÕs Super-G on February 27, 2016 in Soldeu, Andorra. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom)

A total of 190 skiers from 25 countries will participate from 12 to 18 March

The World Cup slopes, Avet and Àliga, will once again be the stage for this competition, consisting of 8 trials in the technical and speed disciplines

350 volunteers will take part in this sporting event requiring all the technical and organisational rigour of a World Cup final.

Grandvalira is the largest resort under one lift ticket in Andorra. Photo courtesy Grandvalira.
Grandvalira is the largest resort under one lift ticket in Andorra. Photo courtesy Grandvalira.

Grandvalira officially announced today that the European Cup Finals for men’s and women’s alpine skiing will be held from 12 to 18 March on the Avet slope in Soldeu and the Àliga slope in El Tarter. The European Cup finals are the last trial before the 2019 World Cup finals, the largest sporting event in the history of Andorra. The event will consist of a total of 8 trials: two in technical disciplines on the Avet slope in Soldeu (slalom and giant slalom); and two in the speed disciplines on the Àliga slope in El Tarter (super-G and downhill).

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