Anguilla, where tourism plays a major role in the economy, has joined other Caribbean islands in expanding airport facilities to meet the demands for larger aircraft and to accommodate increasing numbers of travellers. Preliminary work has now commenced on the expansion of Wallblake Airport to 5400 feet with extensions both to the east and to the west. The US$20.7 million project falls short of 600 feet to the east, following the failure of Government so far to acquire the needed land.

The target date for completion is December 17 in time for the tourism season and for the introduction of the American Eagle ATR 72 aircraft.

Section of officials and invited guests at the groundbreaking ceremony

Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Osbourne Fleming, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on April 30, said the occasion had brought closure to years of debate for an improved airport. He repeated an earlier statement made at the signing of the contract that if the Government was not strong and committed to the project it would have walked away from it as result of the difficulties encountered.

He took the opportunity to express gratitude to a number of residents who had to be relocated to facilitate the project as well as a number of taxi-drivers and others for their support. He was particularly grateful to the British Government for its technical assistance, the designers, Scott Wilson Kirpatrick, and the contractors Lagan Holdings of Ireland as well as to Scotiabank for a loan of US$15 million for the project.

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Victor Banks, said Government had decided that the expansion of Walblake Airport was the best solution that could be put in place in the short, immediate and long term for Anguilla’s air transportation needs. He noted that the cost alone for building an airport at the Brimegin site on the north of the island was estimated in 1996 at US$97 million (calculated at US$42,000 per acre). He pointed out that on completion such a project would have cost US$350 million.

“Therefore when I hear responsible members of the community and the House of Assembly suggesting that the Wallblake Airport project will be a burden to future generations of Anguillians, they are obviously trying to mislead the people of Anguilla or they just simply do not understand the economics of this project,” he said.

“This project costs US$21 million, but in effect the people of Anguilla will only have a loan burden of about US$5 million. Even though we are borrowing up to US$15 million through Scotiabank for this project, $10 million will be paid off by a grant from the European Development Fund over a three-year period…That is all that we have to service as a loan for the future development of this country and I think that we have done a great job in getting this done.”

Banks added: “I am confident that at the end of this project, all the detractors, all those who opposed this airport; the people who supported the project; and those who have been reluctant to support it, will say the Government of Anguilla did an excellent job.”

Minister of Infrastructure, Kenneth Harrigan, noted that the Government had the overwhelming support of the people of the island for the project. He charged Richard Jones, representative of Lagan Holdings, to fulfill the company’s obligation to have the airport extension ready for December.

“We will be looking forward to see how you can perform. You will not get another week longer,” he went on lightheartedly. “There is a lot more in Anguilla to be done and according to how you perform, your equipment will stay here. Mr. Jones, this is your opportunity to prove your worth. If I were you, I wouldn’t sleep until the project is over. I will give you a little hand here today when I turn the first shovel but after that, you are on your own. My Ministry will do everything to ensure that you have all the support you need for this project. That is why I agree to let some of my best workers to be attached to this project for the entire period.”

Section of officials and invited guests at the groundbreaking ceremony

Replying, Mr. Jones said his company had been following developments regarding the airport project for many years and were aware of the extreme its importance to Anguilla. We now know we are in the driving seat for this project and mainly responsible for completing it on date, on schedule.

“We will try very hard Minister Harrigan to meet your request for an early completion but as it stands we think we have a very tight programme mainly because of Fritz Smith’s hard negotiating skills. Hopefully Jamie Collins, our Project Manager here, will be allowed some sleep over the next eight months. We trust that we will have the support of everyone here - the Ministers involved the consultants and local community. We are sure that with everyone’s efforts and commitment behind us we will complete this project and will help the future prosperity of Anguilla.”

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development, Dr Aiden Harrrigan, chaired the groundbreaking ceremony. He pointed out that the Wallblake Airport extension was only one element of what was in fact a comprehensive plan for the development of the island’s air transport sector.

He noted that among other matters the plan took into account moving from an aircraft carrying 44 passengers to one flying in 66 thus presenting new challenges in the terminal building. As a result there will be an extension of that building to facilitate passenger flows, improve security and other among provisions. There are also plans for a fixed based operation which is basically a private jet facility for tourists in keeping with the trends of the market.

Section of officials and invited guests at the groundbreaking ceremony

Mr. Harrigan noted that after the US Labour Day holiday in September the American Eagle ATR 42 aircraft will be withdrawn from Anguilla with the start of construction work at the western end of the runway. He said a very strong team effort would have to be made to ensure that those persons desirous of coming to Anguilla could do so. He added that it would mean talking with American Eagle officials, to officials in St. Maarten and tour operators about dropping off passengers in St. Maarten as well as ferryboat operators to facilitate their onward travel to Anguilla.

Officials of Government, Scotiabank and the contractors at the groundbreaking ceremony

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