EDITORIAL: Welcomed news

On Tuesday as he introduced the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, informed the country of plans to improve the physical and technological infrastructure of the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA). Such work is definitely warranted and we commend the authorities for endeavouring to improve the experience of passengers coming into, and leaving this island.

 

The fact is that as an airport that offers direct services to numerous destinations in the United States, Canada, Central and South America as well as Europe, and which also serves as a gateway to the Eastern Caribbean, we cannot afford not to take the airport intothe modern age. If we do not, other countries in the Eastern Caribbean which have in recent times been building international airports of their own, could surpass Barbados and assume our coveted place.  

 

Indeed then, we were pleased to hear Mr. Sealy indicate that the authorities are looking at a number of things to improve the functioning of the airport, including embracing technology, with the introduction of new passport reading machines as well as two-sided scanners to more efficiently process the around two million people who pass through GAIA annually. These machines would also go a long way in helping to protect the island’s national security. Additionally, he said they are looking at expanding the departure area for the regional carriers, providing jet bridges to allow passengers to embark and disembark the various aircraft and possibly constructing another terminal.

 

These improvements are expected to build on the work that was done some years back, which took the airport into a new era and we hope that these ideas become a reality sooner rather than later, as the upgrading of the infrastructure at the island’s lone airport could help to make us more competitive, as we vie for even more airline business. 

 

We were particularly happy to hear of the intention to put in air bridges, as it is unfortunate that in the year 2016, rain fall or sun shine, persons arriving or departing this country have to navigate a treacherous set of stairs. The situation is even worse for wheelchair bound individuals, they have to be lifted up or down those stairs or hoisted into the plane by some other means. This is definitely unacceptable in a country that promotes itself as being accessible to the disabled.

 

However, we acknowledge that putting such bridges in place will come at a cost and could result in a complete redesign of GAIA’s arrival and departure lounges. But, it would probably cost Government less to build a new wing onto the airport outfitted with these air bridges, rather than refurbishing the existing structure. If refurbishment is pursued, it is likely to end up being more costly and cause disruptions at an airport that is in active service year round. We can ill afford to lose any business, so these are factors that Government will no doubt take into consideration, given the tough economic times we have faced throughout the past few years, and the fact that we are not quite out of the woods yet. 

 

Should that be done, it may also allow the authorities to expand the shopping opportunities in the airport. That could possibly even see the amalgamation and expansion of what is available in the departure and arrival areas to the benefit of all passengers, including those who are in transit as well as those who are being transferred to the sea port, thereby providing employment for scores of Barbadians.