Govt making room for more aircraft

With airlift to Barbados expanding, Government is moving to accommodate more aircraft at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill announced yesterday that construction would begin next month on an additional three parking aprons at the airport.

He was piloting debate on the Civil Aviation Bill, 2026, which was later passed, in the House of Assembly.

The minister reported further success in acquiring more airlift to Barbados, but confirmed that American Airlines had cancelled its New York to Barbados service for the upcoming winter season.

“The expansion of airlift into Barbados has also given us cause to look to see how best we can expand and improve parking positions for aircraft at the Grantley Adams International Airport,” Gooding-Edghill said.

“I’m pleased to announce that work should commence next month on expansion of the parking apron at the Grantley Adams International Airport. We currently have 23 parking positions there.

“Based on the volume and the number of flights that are coming into Barbados, it is in our best interest at this point in time that we seek to increase the number of parking spaces at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Therefore, we’ll be adding additional three gates.”

He added: “Work will commence next month and by the end of November, we should complete all of the cutting of the rock and all the concrete works that are necessary, so that when those jets land in Barbados, they won’t be compromised and they wouldn’t have any construction going on within that area.

“If you go to the airport, for example, any weekend, you will see an inordinate number of flights on the tarmac. The challenge for us now is that you’re almost juggling for space and that is why we have to extend the gates by an additional three.

On American Airlines’ winter service between New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and GAIA, the minister said it was “very unfortunate that American Airlines has made a business decision in their own right and in their own commercial interests to adjust the New York route . . . but  not withstanding that it will not be a substantial blow to US airlift”.

“We continue to have major carriers that are servicing us. JetBlue has agreed to increase the double dailies out of New York from June through August, so that will give us even more seats coming into Barbados and we are still in discussions with American Airlines and we have not closed the door with respect to that particular New York flight,” he told the Chamber.

“We recognise the very strong partnership that we have with American Airlines, there is no issue relating to the Charlotte flight, no issue relating to the Philadelphia flight and of course, no issues relating to the Miami flights as well. Those are all secured, but we will continue to ensure that Barbados maintains very strong connectivity.”

Gooding-Edghill also announced British Airways “will commence their third daily service into Barbados, I believe it begins October 25, . . . out of Gatwick”.

“We also have the double daily from Virgin Atlantic . . . that is very strong, very secure,” he said.

The next winter season will see Canadian carrier Air Transat having two weekly flights out of Montreal.

He said Barbados’ tourism was continued to hold its own “notwithstanding the highly competitive and the highly tense global geopolitical situation”, which was having an impact on oil prices. (SC)

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