The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS have continued their appeal for the government to reopen the airstrip at Staniel Cay, Exuma, after its closure severely affected their economy and access to emergency care.

The airstrip was closed for repairs four months ago; however, an activist group - Concerned Citizens of Staniel Cay & Vicinity - yesterday claimed that there has been no government response to cries from the community over the abrupt closure’s devastating effect on their livelihood.

“We remain stranded without an airport or any plan of action,” read a letter sent by the group to Prime Minister Perry Christie last week.

“We are suffering. The airport is our lifeblood, and its closure imposes significant hardship and danger.

“We are gravely concerned by the lack of official communication and absence of any plan to remedy our situation. Such silence and inaction sends a strong message of disregard to us.”

The airstrip was closed April 9, but it was still unclear in May when work would begin. The alternate airstrip is in Black Point, a reported five-minute ferry ride from Staniel Cay.

However, the group underscored that the five-mile journey is increasingly dangerous in the winter months.

“The five miles from Black Point to Staniel Cay is over open ocean and requires crossing three deep cuts,” the letter read.

“In dangerous NW/NE winds, this is simply treacherous and often impassable. It is common during winter months for Black Point workers to call their Staniel Cay employers (and say) that they cannot make it to work that day due to weather conditions. If it is this bad for locals in the course of regular business, imagine how horrendous it will be for visitors, or anyone facing a medical/emergency situation.”

Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin has said the matter was being “actively addressed” under the remit of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development.

She acknowledged the potential implications to the well-being of residents, both economically and health-wise, but maintained that the closure was unavoidable due to safety concerns.

An online petition was created at ipetitions.com on August 13, and had 4,870 signatures up to press time.

According to the group, a local petition was also signed by 164 persons from Staniel Cay, private cays in the surrounding area and also the park warden at the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park Headquarters.

The letter continued: “In addition to losing business during our high season with the abrupt closure in April, we are now experiencing a second wave of negative tourism impact. Returning visitors and second-homeowners are delaying trips to Staniel Cay, indicating that they will simply not return until the Staniel Cay airport reopens, rather than deal with the inconvenience, expense and danger of travel by an alternate airstrip.

“It is widely accepted in the industry that, for any tourism destination to survive, it requires frequent, reliable and affordable airlift. By keeping the Staniel Cay airport closed, the government fails us on every one of those factors, even with flights via an alternate airstrip.”