Capital project to address Grenadine airports issues

A capital project by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is expected to address the issues affecting airports on the Grenadine Islands of Bequia, Canouan and Union Island.

Director of Airports Corsel Robertson told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that the government recognizes there are some issues that need attention at the mentioned airports and the $1.2 million project has already been approved to deal with the problems.

The J F Mitchell Airport on the Grenadine island of Bequia

Robertson said plans are in place to get the work done in 2020, but she is not certain when exactly the work will begin on the Grenadines airport project.

This week, an email from former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell and his daughter Sabrina Mitchell, both of whom are involved in the hotel and tourism sector on Bequia, was forwarded to this publication and several other entities.

The email asked the relevant authorities to address what they consider the dilapidated condition of the airport on Bequia as they consider the facility the lifeline of a thriving, and rapidly growing tourism industry on Bequia.

“If it (airport) fails, Bequia fails. It is that simple,” the email stressed while adding that tourism provides employment for many persons on the island and contributes significantly to the economy of SVG.

The collapsed roof in a section of the airport

The email is asking for urgent repairs and, in the meantime, the closing off of the no longer functioning cafe and outside viewing area, so that people cannot see the collapsed roof.

In June 2019, a regular user of the Union Island airport spoke about what they considered was the dilapidated conditions at the Southern Grenadines facility.

The Union Island resident said the airport was in dire need of repairs, and cited issues with the fire truck, the vehicle being used to transport airport workers, the chairs in the airport, the equipment used for baggage, the roof, the lighting system and at times the lack of proper bathroom facilities.