PM: Jet port by 2010

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has noted that an International Airport is in its planning stages to further accommodate air travel in this country.

The Prime Minister was at the time answering questions from the local, regional and international media, who hovered around him as he stepped off from a chartered flight from Union Island with his family Monday. {{more}}

Dr. Gonsalves announced that by 2010 the much anticipated international airport would be constructed. He said by July 2005 he would be able to determine the finances with the help of a special team and estimated that the cost of the international airport will be over US$150 million. The Prime Minister stressed that the priority will be to get a jet port in Canouan, which will cost instead US$20 million.

Dr. Gonsalves expressed pleasure with the arrival of Caribbean Sun to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and said that the airline will not have a negative impact on LIAT as some people predict.

He said that Caribbean Sun was not a competitor since it is moving directly from Puerto Rico to SVG, while LIAT hops the islands. He said that the real competitor will be Caribbean Star and he hoped that there would be enough business for both to prosper. Dr. Gonsalves said to wish that one airline succeeds and the other does not shows a juvenille mind. Making an analogy to cricket he said “one bats at both ends of the wicket.”

He noted that although he has his differences of opinion, that does not prevent his government from co-operating with Caribbean Star. He further said he was glad that Caribbean Sun was in the air.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Arnihm Eustace has described the coming on the scene of Caribbean Sun as a “Godsend.”

Eustace said that air access for Vincentians and for visitors generally, especially from the U.S. market is crucial for tourism. He stressed that everything must be done for this industry if it is to take off and improving air transport is a sure way of doing so.