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| Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport Manager, Mr. Denzil Jones during Wednesday's Press Conference with Board Chairman, Mr. Linkon Maynard (left) and Novaport Consultant, Mr. Gordon Goodwin (centre). |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 27TH 2005 - Resurfacing of the 8,000-foot runway at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport will be carried out during the night from next September, according to newly-appointed Airport Manager, Mr. Denzil Jones..
The US$16 million expansion project includes significant improvement in the quality of the runway, construction new taxiways and expansion of the aircraft parking facilities to accommodate six wide-bodied aircraft of the Boeing 767-300 series.
Mr. Jones said the existing runway was constructed between 1972 and 1974 and although the last major resurfacing was done in 1999, only the first 2,500 feet at both ends of the runway were completely overlaid and the central portion was resurfaced over a specified width.
It is very important that we deal with this matter at this time, not only with respect to the enhancement of security and safety of air operations, but it is like a house, which is an asset and we need to refurbish it and enhance it so that it does not become a liability, said Jones.
He told a news conference Wednesday that consultations have begun with the various stakeholders who will be affected by the resurfacing works and all efforts will be made to ensure that the programme is implemented in accordance with international standards.
We have an obligation as a signatory to the Chicago Convention to comply with these standards. If not, we could face sanctions, we could lose business and the number of other repercussion are humungous, said Jones.
He disclosed that the resurfacing of the runway will begin in September next year. We have to continue normal operations, while the other areas of the project are in progress and we are going to take safety and security into account.
The plan is for the resurfacing of the runway to take place from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the succeeding day. At the moment, the operational hours of the airport are from 6 a.m. to 9 pm, with a grace period to accommodate late or delayed scheduled flights. So from an operational point of view, the impact of the construction work ought not to be negative, said Jones, who added that the rest of the project will be done during the day time.
Mr. Jones said the St, Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) has established a Airport Safety Committee and promised continuous dialogue, especially with the airlines and the operative agencies.
He said all efforts will be made to minimise public inconvenience by the airport construction. As the caretaker of the airport, while we have to balance the matter of efficiency, we also need to take into account the safety aspects of the operation. The objective as realised, is not only to accommodate the expected activities associated with the World Cup 2007, but at the same time we need to improve on our capacity in the long term and also to comply with the internal safety standards because there are now requirements for the certification of aerodromes and we need to have everything in place.
The civil works of the expansion programme will be carried out by Surrey Paving and Aggregate Limited, a Caribbean company based in Jamaica. Some 200 local contractors and workmen are expected to be employed over the next 12 months.
The project is being jointly funded by the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and a loan by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
