Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar.
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE Minnis administration is reportedly at a “crossroads” over whether it will repair or permanently close the Arthur’s Town, Cat Island airport, Tourism and Aviation minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday.
Sky Bahamas announced it was immediately suspending flights to the island’s second airport over safety concerns with the runway.
The airline said it would be rerouting all of its scheduled flights into New Bight, Cat Island, adding the resumption of flights hinged on the completion of all repair work to the runway and apron.
Addressing the Sky Bahamas statement, Mr D’Aguilar told The Tribune the government was still weighing its options with the struggling property.
He pointed to a 2013 Christie administration report, which assessed the economic viability of all 28 Family Island airports and recommended the Arthur’s Town airport not be refurbished or repaired.
Mr D’Aguilar said the report concluded the airport be permanently closed and the New Bight airport be operated as the primary airport for the island.
“The report pointed out that it would be best, financially, to upgrade the New Bight facility which is about 45 minutes away and use it to service the entire island,” he said.
“The report said it wasn’t worth doing the repairs (at Arthur’s Town) because, for one, its location and two, because of the lack of projects around it which warranted such a grand investment.
“It graded all 28 airports. Arthur’s Town was the least important because it lacked need.”
Mr D’Aguilar continued: “And so, the government hasn’t made a decision what to do, it is contemplating whether to take the advice of that report, fix the airport or explore if we can convert it into a fix based operation and have a private company take it over.
“But certainly, there isn’t sufficient funding to address the problems with the runway in this budget.
“There are just simply too many problems and not enough money.
“And given the priority of this government to focus on airports that will yield substantial investments, such as Exuma and North Eleuthera, it is truly hard to say.”
Comments
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
The Government has to come to terms with reality ......... each Family Island needs ONE centrally located airport, dock, clinic, high school and essential services complex.
There is just TOO MUCH wastage in Government for all of these non-essential buildings and staff.
Dawes 5 years, 6 months ago
Agreed, if people say the 45mins is too far to drive then i expect an airport out by Yamacraw first as it can take at least 45 mins to get to NAD.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 6 months ago
The Chinese or the IDB, in the next few days, will offer up a loan to fix it and these dingbats will JUMP at the opportunity to tighten the noose of debt around our children's necks.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 6 months ago
One airport per island seems reasonable....with exception of possibly Andros, Abaco and Eleuthera
sealice 5 years, 6 months ago
What Brave never built an airport for people that have been voting for what 30 years??? Wat is dis?? We're all collectively shocked that another PLP MP did nothing for their constituency....
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 6 months ago
This isn't it.
Clamshell 5 years, 6 months ago
There is no earthly reason for Cat Island to have more than one airport, and it currently has 3, including the one down at Hawk’s Nest.
DDK 5 years, 6 months ago
According to a 2012 Pilot's Guide, the 7,015 foot runway in Arthur's Town was in excellent condition. ODD that it was allowed to deteriorate, especially as quite a few of the Island's resorts are located in the North. Agree that one International Airport should suffice for Cat Island.
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
Very good commentry....beats me that if everyone can see the common sense, ....why couldnt the elected officials, salaried public service officials in respectiive Ministries could not see the same.....particularly when the needs of the patients at a falling apart PMH were even so much dire and obvious.......finally. people see dat dis go wid sense
TheMadHatter 5 years, 6 months ago
Bogart - because money is involved and decisions affect the flow of money. That's why we need one hundred MPs instead of 39. I suggest that with a similar philosophy to what the Speaker said last week - simply - too many chiefs and no indians.
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
Totally insane......! How can the pore taxpayers be paying for all this for years....public servant getting regular paychecks....govt even been borrowing money mpnthly ..overdrafts....to even.... pay .....same officials salaries ...overseeing.airpprts....not cost effective....no economies of scale....no synergies....officials overseeing all this...an dese same public servants getting benefits...free gasoline.....an even some getting on special no electrictity cut off list whichin me an you never will eve.see da day of light or get on......mudda tek sic dred.....people needs to be let go dred.....
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