ULP to host major airport symposium

The Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration is to host a major symposium here next week, as part of the overall plan for the construction of the International Airport at Argyle.{{more}}

The symposium is scheduled for Monday, November 10th, 2008, and will be convened at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown, from 9 a.m.

Over 45 local, regional and international airline operators, Chief Executive Officers, managers and aviation experts have been invited to attend.

Among these are regional carriers such as Liat, Caribbean Airlines and Mustique Airways, and international airlines such as Air France, American Airlines, Air Jamaica, Continental, United, Air Canada and Delta. Freight carriers such as Amerijet, Aeropostal, Mountain Air Cargo, DHL and Federal Express have also been invited.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will deliver the feature address at the opening ceremony of the symposium, and the Chairman of the International Airport Development Corporation,

Dr. Rudi Mathias, will make welcome remarks.

There will also be an address from a representative of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, the ECCAA.

During the open session, there will be presentations that will highlight the concept, design, scope and status of the airport project.

Godfred Pompey, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for aviation matters, has said that the symposium is a very important development at the early stages of the construction of the international airport at Argyle.

“It is important to hear from the people in the business in relation to the operation of the airport, so that we could incorporate their comments and suggestions into areas such as the construction of the terminal building and related services” Pompey said.

He added that the ULP administration is being prudent at this stage of the project by garnering the views of these stakeholders.

“We have to pay attention to services such as catering, the provision of fuel, maintenance and other services that an international airport will provide”.

Construction work on the International Airport at Argyle began on July 13th 2008 with a ground breaking ceremony. It is expected to cost in the region of 225 million US dollars.

It is scheduled for completion by the year 2011.