By Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Hon. Marsha Henderson Federal Minister responsible for Civil Aviation and Tourism confirmed that there are several issues affecting the airlift at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport.
In an interview with SKNVibes, Henderson says that the issues range from the need for a new airport to the scheduling of flights.
“Building the airport isn’t the only issue. Obviously, it’s the scheduling of flights and all of that. Everybody wants to come on Saturdays, so with the existing facilities, we really have to look at scheduling; but we do plan to build a modern eco-friendly airport. The current plans that they have are not keeping with the demands now and where we anticipate we will be going in the future.”
According to the Civil Aviation Minister, the plans need to be revisited as there is presently no accommodation for jet bridges and other modern services.
Additionally, Henderson said the Government has engaged some architects, some of whom are in discussions with urban developers about what should be included in the plan for the new airport.
The former Golden Rock Airport was renamed the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport following a two-year renovation period between 2004 and 2006. The airport project was financed through loans from the St. Kitts-Nevis- Anguilla National Bank and Taiwan to the tune of US $17 million.
The airport at present provides accommodation for commercial jumbo jets with scheduled non-stop flights from Canada and the United States; as well as several commuter flights within the Caribbean region.
