It was business as usual at the Grantley Adams International Airport yesterday after the all-clear was given.

Acting PM: No adverse impact after severe weather

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 12:00am

THERE was a hive of activity at the island’s lone airport yesterday after being closed for close to 36 hours.

After the official all-clear was given by the Department of Emergency Management, the airport reopened around 8 a.m. yesterday. The Grantley Adams International Airport was closed around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, after emergency officials sounded the alarm of a disturbance to the east of the island, which had a high probability of developing into a stronger system. By Wednesday afternoon the disturbance developed into Tropical Storm Matthew, which gave the island a glancing blow as it made its way on a north-westerly path.

Yesterday, during a press conference held at the DEM’s headquarters in Warrens, Acting Prime Minister Richard Sealy told the media that the severe weather did not have an adverse impact on visitors to the island

or the industry as a whole, but proved to be more of an inconvenience as flights were delayed or cancelled.

Sealy, who is the Minister of Tourism, announced however that the flights that were diverted should have all landed yesterday morning.

“So the impact would be delays, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were diverted, in one case to Antigua, the other case to Grenada. They will land, it just means that people will just leave a little later than they anticipated.”

“American Airlines had to cancel at least one flight so they are doubling up to make sure they can still bring in their people.. LIAT would have the hardest, because they have the largest number of movement.”

“The St. Vincent airport only just reopened. LIAT is trying to readjust its schedule. Other than some inconvenience for our visitors, there has been no impact. We did not lose any business as a result,” he revealed.

A travel advisory issued by LIAT yesterday morning, noted that following the reopening of several airports yesterday: “LIAT is resuming its normal operating schedule but advises that some of its services will be delayed. Although the weather conditions have improved, some areas in the network are still being impacted by wind gusts which are affecting our operation.” (JH)

Acting PM: No adverse impact after severe weather

Barbados Advocate

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