As part of its system of empowering members through timely provision of information on matters of value, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture hosted a full house Executive Luncheon where the Saint Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority shared its plans and vital information on the Hewanorra International Airport Development Project.
The Executive Luncheon was held on Tuesday April 9th 2019 at the Bay Gardens Hotel, Rodney Bay.
Attendees paid close attention as they were guided through a very interesting and in depth presentation by, Mr. Daren Cenac, Acting General Manager of SLASPA and Mr. Gasper George Communications Manager who together outlined the reason and need for the Airport’s redevelopment. They also set out the rationale for some of the decisions taken as far as the construction of a new terminal in a different location, the expansion of the physical facility, the increase in the number of airplane parking spaces and more importantly the separation of incoming and outgoing passengers.
The SLASPA Team argued that the new HIA facility will be a state-of-the-art facility that synchronizes with the growing tourism industry and aligns with passenger and airline expectations. They also pointed out that the New facility will address a number of the current constraints which the existing facility is now faces. These include; the inability to accommodate sufficient wide body aircrafts simultaneously, lack of dual taxiway, insufficient car park space and the size of the arrival and ceparture terminal and co mingling of arriving and departing passengers. The Masterplan has a 30 year horizon. The Luncheon was also informed that construction is expected to start by June and the project has a 30 month implementation time frame.
Chamber members also were treated to a “fly through” which simulated the experience from the arriving and departing traveler perspective. Questions of clarification on various issues were entertained and responded to at the end of the Presentation. The Chamber will be making the presentation available to members shortly on its website.
