AIA test flights met all requirements – ECCAA Director General

The test flights conducted by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) in 2015 were satisfactory and met all the requirements.

This was disclosed by director general of ECCAA Donald MacPhail during a press briefing at the International Airport Development Company (IADC) office last Friday.{{more}}

“We did two categories of test flights. We did some test flights on the procedures to the airport and we did some test flights to see the behaviour of the aeroplanes on the west of the airport and all of them have been satisfactory. They have all met the requirements,” MacPhail stated.

The ECCAA director general was in St Vincent last week to take part in discussions on the finalization of work on the AIA.

He noted that there still is to be an aeronautical study conducted at the airport before it is opened, to see that it meets all international standards.

“The aeronautical study will confirm that the entire airport, every aspect of it, meets…the international requirements and that the airport is fit for purpose.

“It would indicate if we have overlooked anything and there would be a chance to effect the necessary corrections. We don’t anticipate that we have left out anything,” MacPhail explained.

Indications are that the AIA would become operational by the middle of this year. (CM)