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Contract signed for runway works
Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator
MBJ Airports Limited has signed a US$18.9-million contract with Jamaica's Surrey Paving, Canada's IDL Group and Belvedere Place Developments to commence work on the overlay and rehabilitation of the runway.
The three companies combined have formed SBI. Funding for the work was financed by International Finance Corporation, the private-sector arm of the World Bank.
The contract was signed last Thursday in the presence of Montego Bay Mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris; chairman of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Dennis Morrison and CEO of the Sangster International Airport, Eduardo Canelas.
Surrey Paving's Leslie Chang signed on behalf of his partners.
"The maintenance of the airport runway is very important to the smooth operation of airlines. It will ensure that the airport's excellent safety record is maintained," said Morrison.
He noted that the project was also the first stage in a programme that will involve the extension of the runway over the next five years. The next step is expected to be finalised in the coming year, he said.
In response to questions from Hospitality Jamaica, MBJ's chief commercial officer, Elizabeth Scotton, revealed that this aspect of the project also includes the construction of a new fire hall for the Emergency Response Services team. "There will be an improvement to their facilities, which will now have proper bays for two new fire trucks, one of which we already have."
Employment
According to Scotton, between 70 and 80 persons are expected to be employed during the tenure of the project, which officially starts the third week in January 2013. She said the contractors were already on the airport site mobilising equipment and setting up the area for the raw materials to be used during the project.
She advised that the airport would be closed every day from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to facilitate the works. The project is expected to take six to eight months to complete.
"This actually is only a closure of an extra two hours as the airport has always been subject to a curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. This actually has no impact on flights, as MBJ has been sensitising the airlines for over 18 months about the project, so they had time to adjust their schedules to ensure any arrivals and departures are before or after the daily closure," she noted.
Pointing to the MBJ master plan, she said a review of the airport over a 20-year horizon used to identify challenges and opportunities, showed that an extension of the runway could be considered.
The existing runway length of 8,400 feet is sufficient to support most aircraft landing and taking off, she argued, adding that the challenge is for larger aircraft flying to destinations that are further than western Europe.
"The master plan identified that the lands for an extension of approximately 1,000 feet were available (not built up) and an extension would open up markets like eastern Europe, allowing aircraft to take off with sufficient fuel to fly non-stop without the need to do a 'tech stop' to refuel," she added.
Accordingly, MBJ has identified this opportunity as stewards of this essential economic asset for the country. However, it is not a requirement of the existing concession agreement with the Government of Jamaica.
"We are not extending the runway as part of this project. We are in discussions with the Government about this possibility, but that is not part of this project," said Scotton.
In the meantime, MBJ is projecting a modest growth of two per cent in total passenger arrivals for 2013.
"Of course, the biggest news for Jamaica and Sangster International Airport is the introduction of non-stop service from Moscow, Russia, by Transaero Airlines. We are also seeing increased capacity from Paris, France, on XL Airways and increased frequency from Prague, Czech Republic, on Travel Service," said Scotton.
In addition, COPA is increasing from two flights to four flights per week on December 15 as a year-round service, providing us with excellent connections to and from South America.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
http://www.hospitalityjamaica.com/news1.html
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