Plans for the expansion and modernisation of Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) will get under way by the end of the 2025 financial year.
This is according to its chief executive officer Hadley Bourne, who said the initial plans were for four jet bridges with the possibility of increasing the airport’s footprint in excess of 60 000 square feet, to be used as passenger and commercial space.
“Invariably, we’re hoping to see various aspects of the expansion start before the end of this year. I can’t give a time as to when it’s going to finish, but it’s going to be a phased approach . . . . You will see improvements. For instance, you may see one jet way be implemented and utilised before the other three are completed,” he told the DAILY NATION recently after a press conference at the airport.
There have been numerous calls for major upgrades at the airport. In 2023, director of engineering at the GAIA, Karen Walkes, said the deferment of replacing equipment and major maintenance occurred at several intervals and systems had exceeded their original lifespan.
That year it was confirmed that the airport agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai and Agencias Universales S.A. of Chile, to finalise contractual arrangements towards a new public-private partnership (PPP) for the investment, development and operation of the airport as a hemispheric cargo hub, with expanded airlift and additional luxury hotel.
Government said it would take an investment of about $300 million for the required upgrades at the airport.
Bourne also spoke about the Concorde Experience, noting that the building which houses the now non-operational aircraft, was being used as an air-to-sea terminal.
“Phase 1 is now completed as it relates to using it as an air-to-sea terminal. The commercial department and other entities within the organisation are currently working on Phases 2 and 3. A number of entities have reached out to use it over the summer period for various charitable events, school activities and entertainment activities, and we’re moving in that direction. Also, to bring it back fully on stream as an attraction, not only for tourists but also for the general public. We’re very much on stream with phasing the utilisation of the facility,” he said.
Bourne also noted that customer service continued to be paramount as well as the capacity enhancement aspect of the airport.
“I think one of the things that is also happening is that we’re also going to be doing some expansion on the parking apron. We’re looking to add another two to three parking positions. Similarly, during our peak, the terminal is filled to capacity and also the parking apron is filled to capacity. I think that will take our major focus over the next year to 18 months in terms of these additional enhancements. That will also speak to our overall experience,” he added. (CS)
