Over the period 1980-1997, aircraft movements and passenger traffic at GAIA grew at an average annual rate of 2.8 per cent (%) and 1.4%, respectively. The existing airport facilities were originally designed to facilitate up to 2.2 million (mn) enplaning/deplaning passengers annually with a peak hour handling capacity of 1,200 persons. In 1993, due to the size of aircrafts utilized, GAIA had begun to experience peak hour loads of over 1,300 persons. In addition, serious structural deficiencies/distress (extensive cracking and deformation) were identified in the wearing surface runway and main taxiway.