No word yet on flights to AIA – PM

There is still no indication about which airlines will be flying into St Vincent and the Grenadines, once the Argyle International Airport (AIA) becomes operational.

In response to a question posed in Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves indicated that the relevant authorities, under his guidance, had made contact with several airlines.{{more}}

These airlines include American Airlines, Jet Blue, Delta, Spirit, West Jet, British Airways and Caribbean Airlines.

In relation to which airline will be flying here, the prime minister said he will present the necessary information to the public in a transparent manner when it becomes available.

Meanwhile, according to the prime minister, the total projected cost of the AIA on completion is roughly $700 million.

“Approximately $160 million of that is in kind contribution, so that actually the projected cost is 543 million,” he said in response to a question by Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace.

“At the end of December 2014, the amount spent was just over $435 million. Some of what remains to be spent has already been committed.”

The AIA, which is this country’s largest capital project to date, is expected to be operational by the middle of this year. (BK)