Electrical fire disrupts services at GAIA

Though not heavily impacted, an electrical fire at the Grantley Adams International Airport during the passage of Hurricane Elsa, has resulted in a disruption of services.

Speaking during Saturday’s update post Hurricane Elsa, Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummings said while no significant damage was done to the port of entry, operations were still not back to normal.

“The airport withstood the hurricane well, we did not have any infrastructural damage except at an auxiliary facility, which is the Civil Aviation Training Centre, but we subsequently did experience water damage coming through one of the areas, which resulted in an electrical fire in the airport facility,” Cummings said.

“That therefore took power down at the airport, which has compromised the ability of the Grantley Adams International Airport to reopen once the all clear was given.

“In addition, I know many people see the physical facility of the airport, but the airport actually has secondary locations all across the country in nine specific locations, which provide satellite services for air traffic control. As we have dealt with islandwide power challenges, in many locations the power has been out as those locations, which has made it challenging for our satellite systems and our air traffic control to safely guide aircraft back into Barbados,” she explained.

Cummings said that the Barbados Light and Power, as well as private contractors have been working at the nine locations across the island to restore services at the earliest possible time, with three of the nine sites being back online currently, with the other six expecting to be up and running in time for the slated 11 a.m. reopening of the airport.

“The airport therefore is expected to reopen tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Overnight there will be a closure of the system, all systems will be taken offline at 8 p.m. tonight to do a full run-through of the system, to ensure everything is running smoothly, and it is at that time we will be in a position to power the airport back up to in its entirety.”

The Minister also said that Ministry of Health officials will resume their posts at the port tomorrow for inbound visitors, to restart COVID-19 testing for those requiring one upon arrival. (SB)