While speaking at this week’s government press conference, held on Monday, January 12th, the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes, was excited to report that there is a possibility that there will soon be passenger flights inbound to Anguilla from Florida.
Minister Hughes said: “I would like to remind the public that, as a Government, we promised to increase investments through aggressive pursuits — and through the engagement of strategic partners which will translate into improved airlift.”
Mr. Hughes is also the Minister of Infrastructure. Under this portfolio, and in relation to the anticipated flights from Florida, he reported: “Upon coming into office, it was discovered that the runway at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport required resurfacing, but there was no funding with which to do so. I immediately engaged with Her Majesty’s Government, and on November 20th we were able to secure, from the UK Government, four million pounds sterling for the required resurfacing.”
Mr. Hughes said that his ministry has been able to engage the company Windward Roads of St. Maarten to undertake the resurfacing. He mentioned that currently they are in the process of mobilising themselves to begin this critical resurfacing project. He stated that a team of five will arrive on island this month, to set up the plant at the airport, and that these will be followed by a larger team which will be arriving later (in January). The work is slated to begin on February 22nd. The workmen will be quarantined in a ‘roaming bubble’ with no contact with the general population. “The project should be completed within fifteen days,” the Minister remarked.
In revealing some details of the work, Minister Hughes said: “In carrying out the resurfacing, Windward Roads will remove 20 millimetres of the pavement’s thickness and add 40 millimetres. This upgrade will result in an increase to the PCN (Pavement Classification Number).
On another related matter, Minister Hughes mentioned that he holds weekly meetings with the five major hotels via Zoom. He noted that when he asked them what would it take for them to stay open all year round, they all answered that the issue of airlift was key. “We therefore need long haul flights from the continent directly into Anguilla,” the Minister stressed.
Mr. Hughes said that the prospective flights from Florida looks quite promising, as the Premier is leading the way in discussions with Mr. Richard Schulze who is the new owner of Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa and The Reef.
Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
