Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 6th, 2012 (SKNIS): The groundbreaking of the Leeward Flight Services (LFS) Private Jet Terminal Fixed Based Operations (FBO) at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International (RLB) Airport signaled continued progressive movement by the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas gave these sentiments when he noted that the significance of the “soon to be facility” was part of the overall government strategy.
“We have done everything to stabilize the economy, we’ve done everything to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis will be positioned to rebound whenever world conditions permit it,” Prime Minister Douglas assured. “We did everything to ensure the steady march forward despite global challenges that we are facing today.
I emphasize, we are on a slow but steady climb and this jet terminal with its many spinoff opportunities, for various sectors of the economy, represents a key component of my government’s programme of forward movement.”
Prime Minister Douglas further noted that the event became possible due to another development tool employed by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, in the form of the renovation of Warner Park. This action made successful, the bid for the Federation to host several matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 and motivated an avid fan of the Indian Cricket team to come to the Federation for the first international match staged in the renovated Warner Park on May 23, 2006.
This fan, Uday Nayak, is the Chairman of Veling Ltd, the Mauritius-based company which won the bid to design the FBO Private Jet Terminal Project. The Launch Ceremony for the initial signing of agreements for the terminal, took place August 19, 2010 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
The groundbreaking, which was considered the second phase of the Project, also signaled another move undertaken by the Federation to secure a niche in the “high end” tourism market.
“This facility is a logical and integral component of my government’s decision some six years ago to focus and pursue the superior economic and other opportunities associated with high end tourism,” Prime Minister Douglas emphasized.
“And so if you look at the construction work currently underway to receive mega yacths at Christophe Harbour on our South East Peninsula, and you look at the services that will be provided by Veling and SCASPA right here at our own International Airport, you will see that they are part of an integrated whole – opposite halves of the same well-thought out coin.”
Mr. Nayak’s company, Veling Ltd, designed the state of the art FBO Facility that is geared toward assisting the Federation in attaining its goal. Veling Ltd. is rated in the Top 40 Aircraft Lessors Worldwide and is a specialist provider of aviation-related services. Veling Ltd. is credited with constructing a similar jet terminal in Mauritius, among other accomplishments. He mentioned the benefits that would accrue from such a facility.
“Air services play a very key role in the Federation’s economy and the country’s airport will be the catalyst in the growth of the Federation’s Tourism Industry,” Mr. Nayak noted. St. Kitts also benefits from the creation of jobs for its nationals in the construction stage and towards the end of the year to run the FBO. We also intend to process the transfer of knowledge to the local community through the use of the world renowned experts in their field.”
Mr. Carol Evelyn, the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) said the collaboration between his authority and Veling has already been quite productive. LFS, he revealed, would be responsible for the management and operations of the FBO. Construction is scheduled to commence on Monday, February 06.
“You can expect to see a lot of activities starting in a few weeks time as the contractor mobilizes the work,” Mr. Evelyn informed. “I can assure you that the building of the FBO will not interfere with flights and will in no way disrupt the operations of the airport. A safe and secure environment will be maintained.”
The Private Jet Terminal FBO is forecasted to be completed in the last quarter of 2012 and operations are expected to commence in December.
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