It turns out that an aluminum runway is 20% cheaper than a concrete runway
RUSAL, investment company MASS GROUP and GC «Sial» are working on the creation of Russia's first runway (runway) made of aluminum. This will be an alternative niche solution for small airfields that receive mainly helicopters and small aircraft like the An-2 «Kukuruznik» and LMS-901 «Baikal» (in perspective).
At the moment, RUSAL and MASS GROUP have signed an agreement on cooperation in carrying out research and development work on the aluminum runway project. In the future, it is planned to eliminate regulatory restrictions on the use of aluminum structures in runway construction.
It is not known where exactly the new runway will be built: several operating airfields are currently being considered. But it is already known that its length will not exceed 600 meters, and its creation will take about 300 tons of hardened aluminum alloy. According to RUSAL Market Development Director Evgeniy Vasiliev, an aluminum runway, taking into account logistics, installation and operating costs, is approximately 15-20% cheaper than a concrete runway.