Flights resume

The E.T. Joshua Airport reopened just before 7:00 p.m yesterday, after a mechanical problem with the fire truck stationed at the airport forced sudden closure, just after 1:00 p.m.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, speaking at a press conference at Cabinet Room yesterday afternoon, said that according to information passed to him, the fire truck had a problem dispensing foam.

“I just got a note here, which says the fire truck at E.T. Joshua has a problem with dispensing foam. The mechanics are trying to repair…. hopefully they will sort out the mechanical problem shortly.

“What I want to find out is whether we have the backup fire truck, which can be sent there, which will satisfy the purpose of the regulations,” he said.

Airport regulations state that commercial service must be cancelled, once the stipulated fire truck is not at the airport, or is rendered unserviceable.

A release from LIAT yesterday said that flights LI 755 and LI 726 were already on their way to St Vincent, but were forced to overfly the airport.

When the airport finally reopened yesterday evening, it remained opened up to 12:30 this morning to facilitate the backlog of flights.

Earlier, during the press conference, Dr Gonsalves announced that following discussions with LIAT Chief Executive Officer Brian Challenger, a number of additional flights were put in place to accommodate travelers to the country in the next few days, most of whom were coming for Vincy Mas.

“With the exception of July the 6th, there are available seats from Barbados to St Vincent in the earlier half of the day daily. All late afternoon flights are sold out through to July 6th,” Challenger said in a letter to Gonsalves.

“To date, in responding to demand, we have flagstopped nine addition flights into St Vincent from Barbados and Port of Spain over the period 25th June to July 8th. Beyond July 6th all flights into St Vincent from Barbados and Port of Spain are showing available seats.”

The correspondence also stated that one additional afternoon flight will be flagstopped on July 4th, two on the 6th, and one on the 7th, and that the situation will be kept under review with a view to seeing what other possibilities may exist as the need arises.

Dr Gonsalves said that LIAT, of which St Vincent and the Grenadines is a shareholder, is playing its part in making the carnival activities a successful occasion.

“Everybody has their job to do…. We have to get people here,” he stated.