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Posted: Saturday 28 February, 2004 at 11:04 AM
Erasmus Williams

    BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (FEBRUARY 26TH 2004) – Wednesday’s official opening of the new Air Traffic Control Tower and meteorological facilities is an important milestone in the development of the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.

     

     

     

    St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas speaking at the official opening ceremony of the EC$9.2 million facility said commercial airports must now meet rigorous standards in order to operate successfully in today’s environment following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

     

     

     

    “The St. Kitts Air and Sea Ports Authority is already taking the necessary steps to complete and test the National Aviation Emergency Plan during this year. Continued development of the Airport Security Programme is taking place in the areas of training of security personnel, acquisition of security vehicles, communications equipment, x-ray machines and new perimeter fencing. All of these things would easily run into millions of dollars but they are all required as we seek to obtain our airport certification later this year,” said Dr. Douglas to the invited guests who included Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Cabinet Ministers and private sector representatives.

     

     

     

    “One must view such attention to the issue of safety in every area of airport operation as having a long-term economic benefit. Attention to security issues has to be viewed as an investment in the economic future of St. Kitts and Nevis. In our small country, failures could significantly impact tourism and have a debilitating ripple effect in other areas of the economy,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

     

     

     

    Dr. Douglas noted that the Caribbean is beginning to emerge from the post 9-11 tragedy that severely curtailed tourism in this region.

     

     

     

     

     

    “Here in St. Kitts and Nevis, stay-over visitors are on the rise, the numbers being attracted by the Music Festival continue to show significant increase. Several major conferences are attracting people here, especially at the new Royal St. Kitts Marriott Resort from across the region and internationally well-known places across the world. Added to this is the important increase in hotel rooms, and a stepped up marketing strategy by the new St. Kitts Tourism Authority,” he said.

     

     

     

    Dr. Douglas said the economy of the United States of America has already begun to see signs of recovery and that has had tremendous impact in confidence in other areas of the world.

     

     

     

    He noted that airlines the world-over are busy consolidating their operations in an effort to remain viable and provide a cost effective service that would attract travelers. Some regional air carriers have been undergoing reorganisation, to some extent, with the view of attaining economic viability. Obviously, for the most part, aviation growth and development in St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean region have been, for many years, intimately linked with tourism growth and development.

     

     

     

    St. Kitts and Nevis has been attracting new international air carriers – namely US Airways and Excel Airways, and is seeking additional airlift to boost occupancy levels all year round.

     

     

     

    “One should not forget our tourism partners such as LIAT, WINAIR, American Eagle, Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun that are all working diligently in our market facilitating business and leisure travel. Importantly, also, is that these companies have been highly supportive of social and economic activities in our islands – from sports to music festivals – and we would wish to express our heartfelt appreciation in what is a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

     

     

     

    He noted that airports in small developing countries are critical to economic development, and a significant component in reducing economic isolation.

     

     

     

    “The Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, formerly known as the Golden Rock Airport, has had an interesting history, and some of us have had the opportunity to follow stages of its development over the years. Importantly, however, is that at every step of expansion, it has been because of new vision for growth and development of this country,” said the Prime Minister.

     

     

     

    He said the airport has had its challenges since being opened as an international gateway in the early 1970s with the construction of a new runway capable of handling jet aircraft.

     

     

     

    “It was linked to the new direction undertaken by the then Labour Administration to develop Frigate Bay as a tourism resort area. At that time some claimed that it was not necessary, but today, the airport is increasingly playing a more significant role in facilitating tourism growth and development, not to mention the increase in the transport of commercial goods and materials both intra and extra regionally,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

     

     

     

    He said the new Air Traffic Control Tower has ushered into being critical improvements in the capacity for air traffic management in the St. Kitts and Nevis airspace.

     

     

     

    “All of us would want safety in our skies to be of prime importance, as we are dealing with thousands of lives each month if not each week,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who commend the Air Traffic Controllers and the Met Officers who have toiled under extremely difficult circumstances since 1998 when Hurricane Georges destroyed the tower.

     

     

     

    Dr. Douglas also paid tribute to the consultants and project managers Sofreavia and primary contractors Norfrag as a well as local contractor Vincent Morton & Associates.

     

     

     

    “We also commend the many sub-contractors and their local skilled and unskilled labour force, who also worked on this facility. To everyone involved, we extend hearty congratulations,” said Prime Minister Douglas as he declare officially opened, the Air Traffic Control Tower, the Meteorological Offices and their supporting facilities.

     

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