Airport redevelopment project reflects government’s forward planning

Thursday, April 8, 2010 – The Government of St Lucia, in 2007 through the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) commissioned and received a Master Plan for the redesign and development of Hewanorra International Airport into a modern facility catering to the growing demands of the travel industry. This was done with the realization that the current terminal which was rebuilt in 1993 to accommodate just over 315,000 passengers, is no longer adequate to support changing dynamics of the travel and tourism industry. In 2009, the Airport recorded passenger traffic in excess of 466,000 as well as 56,000 in transit passengers and over 10,000 aircraft movements.

The problems experienced by travellers, both locals and visitors, using the Hewanorra International Airport are well documented. SLASPA has been inundated over the past years with complaints from users of the Airport and in particular tourism industry stakeholders including tour representatives, hoteliers and ground handlers. These complaints relate to the general conditions of congestion and inconvenience which they and their clients are subjected to when using the Airport terminal.

In response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Design, Finance, Build Project which was developed by SLASPA, a number of proposals were submitted by prospective Contractors, Architects and Financial Institutions. After completion of a detailed evaluation process, a recommendation was received regarding the preferred approach to proceeding with the project. However, the project is still in the negotiation stage and to date no contract has been awarded nor has any Government guarantee been given for its financing. The Government of St. Lucia is however, very committed to the redevelopment of the Hewanorra International Airport which is critical to the development of St. Lucia’s Tourism Sector and thus the entire economy.

In 2008, the current Government undertook improvement works at the Hewanorra International Airport through the expansion of the departure lounge, additionally the VIP and CIP lounges were combined to create further space. The current undertaking therefore is a reflection of Government’s vision for improvement of the facilities and services at the Airport and by extension our tourism product.

The Government of St. Lucia is also committed to providing the people of St. Lucia with information on this important project. In this regard, once the negotiation process is completed on all aspects of the project, the Government will make the requisite presentation in Parliament and to the General Public. Plans are currently being developed for the launching of a comprehensive public relations plan which will seek to provide more detailed information as this project unfolds.

Government wishes to assure the public that it has exercised due diligence in the management of the process thus far and that the project will be pursued with the commitment and urgency that such an undertaking requires. The public should be comforted in the fact that the highest standards of integrity have and will continue to be applied by the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Government in the execution of the Hewanorra International Airport Redevelopment Project.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [Site Help]

Read our privacy guidelines.