Roadgrip Airports has recently completed an asphalt preservation programme at Aristides Pereira International Airport in Cape Verde, applying Rhinophalt to the central 15 metres of the runway along its entire length.
Located on the island of Boa Vista, one of Cape Verde’s most important tourism gateways, the airport plays a critical role in connecting the island to Europe and the wider world.
Unlike airports on the mainland, maintaining infrastructure in remote island locations presents a challenge in that materials, equipment and specialist contractors often need to be imported, making major reconstruction projects more expensive and logistically complex than at more accessible locations.
Preservation and maintenance are much easier and help to preserve the airfield for longer.
We treated the runway with Rhinophalt, a specialist asphalt preservation treatment designed to protect ageing asphalt surfaces.
The treatment penetrates the pavement, restoring flexibility to the bitumen binder while sealing micro-cracks and helping to reduce the effects of oxidation. By slowing the ageing process, Rhinophalt helps maintain the integrity of the surface and delays the need for more costly maintenance interventions.
At Boa Vista, we applied Rhinophalt along the central 15-metre wheel path, as this area experiences the highest concentration of aircraft traffic during take-off and landing operations. See our team in action.
Protecting these heavily trafficked sections helps ensure the runway continues to perform as intended while maximising the value of the existing infrastructure.
The treatment also helps to protect the runway surface from further deterioration, reducing the likelihood of stone loss and helping preserve a smooth, consistent pavement condition.
While cost savings are important, safety remains the primary driver behind runway preservation programmes.
Surface deterioration can lead to loose aggregate, foreign object debris (FOD) risks and reduced pavement performance. By maintaining the condition of the asphalt and preventing defects from developing into larger issues, preservation treatments help support the high safety standards required for daily airport operations.
Rather than waiting for significant defects to appear, many airports are increasingly adopting preventative maintenance strategies designed to extend pavement life before major intervention becomes necessary.
Interested in extending the life of your runway? Contact our global airports team to discuss your requirements.
