Grand announcements but no action
Dear Editor,
The Negril Aerodrome was originally a domestic facility serving the western end of the island and easing primarily business travel. To convert it to an international airport, while not a bad idea, must take into consideration several factors or it could end up further stifling an already-battered local aviation industry.
Due to the present location’s proximity to hotels and the lack of expansion space, it would require a new facility in a different location. Will this new facility have a separate domestic terminal? Cross-contamination or intermingling of passengers would require local travellers to go through immigration and customs, thus adding to their travel time.
The separation of domestic and international passengers is currently posing a challenge at the Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary. There is a proposal to close that airport to domestic traffic for a sizeable part of the day to accommodate a single international flight. It questions the competencies available at both the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Airport Authority of Jamaica (AAJ).
For many years the local aviation industry has suffered from a lack of people with the foresight to advance the industry. And the uncertainty of these grand announcements has had a harmful impact on the sector. One recalls that Tinson Pen Aerodrome was supposed to return to Norman Manley International Airport to make way for the expansion of the ports, and later were to be sited next to some special economic zone in the Ferry area.
The lack of action made investors unwilling, as there was never a solid plan in which they could have confidence. Consequently, added investments have been placed on hold. There was also the announcement of tremendous plans for Vernamfield in Clarendon to incorporate a whole host of aviation-related services, maintenance, training, etc. And at another time we heard that Duckenfield in the cane fields of St Thomas was to become a point of entry.
We have become quite accustomed to grand announcements. But when it comes to the viability of an entire industry, thoughtful consideration guided by a master plan that promotes international traffic and preserves the local industry should be undertaken before making definitive statements to the public.
R Nunes
ralstonnunes@gmail.com
