GOVERNMENT is overseeing the US$1billion (J$89 billion) development of Vernamfield into a mega airport starting April 2010, but it’s only talk

say residents.

Current plans have the new airport operating as a trans-shipment hub for the largest cargo and passenger aircraft including the 555-seater Airbus’ A380. The development will be largely private-sector driven, with the Government developing “the land and the airstrips in support of the commercial aspects of the development”, Reginald Allen, transport ministry public relations officer, told the Business Observer. “(The cost will) possibly (be) up to US$1 billion overall, but in various phases as dictated by the impact of each stage of the roll-out over time”.

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) will manage the project based on its expertise in international transport, the ministry said. The PAJ’s non-maritime management includes the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre. The first stage of development involves “work to accommodate” the relocation of the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing and the Caribbean Aerospace College “within four months”, Allen said.

Vernamfield’s existing runways have been dumped to prevent drug smuggling. It has the largest potential airspace in the island “comprising of 1,189 hectares or 2,900 acres of land, which makes it larger than Manhattan in New York,” stated Allen. Vernamfield’s main airstrip is currently some two kilometres (km) based on Observer measurements. The ministry said that it would cost some “U$3 to US$4 million” to clear, extend and

pave the runways.

Currently a heavy A380 cannot safely take-off at any of the international airports in Jamaica which have runway lengths at some 2.7 km according to official statistics. A fully-loaded A380 (at 1.23 million pounds) requires some three km to take-off provided the airport is near sea level (such as at both international airports) according to Airbus graphical statistics; but it would need much more length on hot, humid days. Additionally, Vernamfield would require an even longer stretch all things equal due to its elevation which negatively affects aircraft take-off performance. Vernamfield is central to the transport ministry’s plan to link rail, land, sea and air transport into one seamless operation as in Singapore.

“It must be understood that Vernamfield is intended to become the hub of the region in terms of the broad multi-modal (air, sea, rail, land) connection it will offer in respect of Jamaica’s almost unique geographical position globally,” explained Allen in a written response endorsed

by transport minister. “Vernamfield has rail connection in the area; it will have a spur linking to the Highway 2000 network; it already has four airstrips, including the longest one in the island, capable of handling the heaviest planes in the world; and there are nearby connections via sea, such as Rocky Point.”

Arrangements for the relocation of settlements are now being finalised, stated Allen. The Business Observer travelled to Vernamfield and spoke to goat farmer, James Campbell who was riding his bicycle on the dilapidated airstrip. “What concerns us is relocating, because we don’t want to go to anywhere

that is worse. It must be the same standard.”

He added that Government had been “checking out” the community perpendicular to the airstrip for “the last two months”. But other residents are sceptical they will have

to move.

“We don’t see this happening none at all because of the country’s debt,” said Jerwayne Hylton, a resident in the community. “If it does happen it would be a major impact on employment but it will only happen if a big investor comes in.”

Glenroy Hull, a self-employed woodworker in the community, was also sceptical.

“We would like it to happen but if it is based on the Government, it will not happen,” stated Hull.