Airport expansion to ease congestion as airlift increases

Work is expected to begin next month at Grantley Adams International Airport to expand its aircraft parking capacity as the island moves to reduce congestion on the tarmac, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill has announced.

Three extra spaces would be added to the 23-plane parking apron, he said while tabling a new Civil Aviation Bill before the House of Assembly on Tuesday.  

The move was necessary as, on busy weekends, the airport was “almost juggling for space” due to the large number of flights into the island, he said.

“The expansion of airlift into Barbados has also given us cause to look to see how best we can expand and improve parking positions for aircraft at the GAIA. I’m pleased to announce that work should commence next month on expansion of the parking apron at the Grantley Adams International Airport. 

“We currently have 23 parking positions there. Based on the volume and the number of flights that are coming into Barbados, it is in our best interest at this point in time that we seek to increase the number of parking spaces at the airport; therefore, we’ll be adding additional three gates. We’ll be moving to 26. 

“As indicated, work will commence next month, and by the end of November, we should complete all of the cutting of the rock and all the concrete works that are necessary, so that when those jets land in Barbados, they won’t be compromised, and they won’t have any construction going on within that area.”

The minister also announced that, for the first time in the island’s history, British Airways will have three daily flights into Bridgetown during the winter season, with a flight out of Gatwick starting on October 25.

In addition, he said a new service by Canadian carrier Air Transat will provide twice-weekly flights from Montreal.

Touching on the news that American Airlines was cutting service between JFK and Bridgetown during the upcoming winter season, Gooding-Edghill assured that this would “not be a substantial blow” to US airlift.

“We continue to have major carriers that are servicing us,” said the tourism minister. “I can also assure the chamber that JetBlue has agreed to increase the double dailies out of New York from June through August, so that will give us even more seats coming into Barbados, and we are still in discussions with the American Airlines and we’ve not closed the door with respect to that particular New York flight. 

“We recognize the very strong partnership that we have with American Airlines. There’s no issue relating to the Charlotte flight, no issue relating to the Philadelphia flight, and of course, no issues relating to the Miami flights as well. Those are all secured, but we will continue to ensure that Barbados maintains very strong connectivity.”

 (JB)