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St. Vincent and the Grenadines holds groundbreaking ceremony for first international airport; $217M project
Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves and the International Airport Development Company (IADC) presided over a hillside ceremony earlier this month to mark the start of construction on the country’s first-ever international airport. Actual construction is slated to begin in August.
Set to replace St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ current E.T. Joshua Airport by late 2011, the Argyle International Airport – so named for the coastal area on St. Vincent that it will occupy – will effectively open up the 32-island nation to non-stop and direct flights from key U.S. and Canadian gateways, Latin America and such international capitals like London.
Because the existing airport can only accommodate short-range turbo-prop aircraft from neighbouring islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been unable to significantly expand its air infrastructure.
“News of our first international airport with its world-class design is already sparking new investments,” said Minister of Tourism Glen Beache. “While our off-the-beaten path offerings, castaway charm and pristine nature are what make St. Vincent and the Grenadines so alluring, we’re confident that improving our accessibility will lift our visibility in our key markets – even as we’re determined to safeguard those very assets that make us worth visiting. The only difference – and it’s a big one – will be the ease with which our international guests can get here.”
Most expansive venture in history
The US$217 million project is the country’s largest, most expansive venture in its history. With 151 hectares of land to be developed on the eastern coast of St. Vincent, the facility will feature a 4,950 square-metre terminal, able to accommodate Boeing 747-400, 737, and 767, Airbus 300 and 320, as well as MD80 jet aircraft. In addition, a 53,820 square-foot terminal will give St. Vincent and the Grenadines the ability to cope with further future expansion.
Work will begin on the site in August. Upon completion, the airport expects to employ some 400 workers. At that time, E.T. Joshua Airport will be converted for use by commercial properties and businesses.
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