Hon. Evan Gumbs used the recently concluded business trip to St. Vincent for meeting of the committee of Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation in the OECS used his time there to tour the construction of the island’s new Argyle International Airport. The new facility which is slated to open in early 2013, will clear the path for direct international jet service and an expansion of its passenger-handling capacity tremendously.
The Airport which is estimated to cost some $240 million will cover 123,784 square feet of floor space and will be able to handle upwards of 1.4 million passengers a year. It will be four times the capacity of the existing airport. The new airport is being developed by the International Airport Development company which is owned by the Government of St. Vincent and theGrenadines.
Ground works for the airstrip is in its advanced pre paving stages and construction of the terminal building has begun.
Minister Gumbs was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Tourism, Hon. Haydn Hughes. Minister Gumbs stated that it is important that the region have facilities such as these to attract foreign direct investment dollars to the space. “I am pleased to see thatSt. Vincenthas gotten under way with this tremendous facility. It is hoped that we will be able to move towards the expansion of our strip, complete with the RESA in due time. The Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority has been given a mandate not only to run a profitable port but to also ensure that the ports are maintained, upgraded and expanded to meet our ever expanding needs.”
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
