There is still no word on the airlines likely to fly to the Argyle international airport, one year ahead of its expected operationalization.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told a press conference last week that he had a further update from head of the Tourism Authority, Glen Beache.
“Until he says to me that I can speak about names, I find it difficult to do it…” Gonsalves told reporters.
He said another discussion in July will bring together all stakeholders.
Gonsalves said that Barbados last year spent $18 million of its tourism promotion budget on accessing air transportation.
“A few years earlier, when they had more money, they spent $30 million,” Gonsalves said, adding that Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Kitts have had to do the same.
“Because you have to make sure that you get a certain minimum number of seats. There are some standard things and we are looking at the various model…” he further said.
Gonsalves said in November 2011 that airlines interested in flying to the Argyle airport didn’t want their competitors to know.
“We have airlines who have already indicated their interest and none wants us to mention their names, because, obviously, they don’t want their competitors to know until quite late what they are engaged in,” Gonsalves said then.
The comrade is waiting on the same Glen Beache,who said in NY around 2006 that,’a lot of airlines were waiting on the airport completion the fly to Argyle’.Seven years later and no names?Vincentian soceity are really a bunch of fools.
I could be wrong, but I’m inclined to doubt the last statement from the PM abot Airlines not wanting their competitors to know.
We who live in the USA. knows that Airlines announce months sometimes a year in advance the new routes they are planning on adding so that the public can be aware and they can start their promotion. Why do they want to keep their plans for Argyle hush hush?
My hunch is that no commitment has been received as yet by the government, so they are using this line.
what manner of secrecy is this? This whole airport thing is nonsense resulting from lack of proper planning.
how could you orient an airport without the wind studies? Where in the world do people do these things..and you say its the largest project since “conquest and settlement”
Since this airport is built for large planes and the crosswing component will not affect large planes..then Liat which is a small plane will not be able to land at argyle
Is it not true that with the current rate of stone crushing that it will take up to 3 years just to have enough aggregate to pave the taxi way?
who is fooling who on this airport?
No wonder no wants wants to expand his/her hotel because nobody knows the date for completion..ask the man from Mariners inn Hotel when will he expand.
Word on that would be coming … imminently.
Eight years (from 2005) of lies and we are not accustomed to it yet. How much more, how long is it going to take?
“didnt want their competitors to know” – Ha Ha Ha.
JetBlue continues its Caribbean expansion, announces two new routes to Haiti
May 9, 2013 for service Dec 5, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2013/05/09/jetblue-announces-two-new-routes-to-haiti/2146599/
jetblue flys to cayman islands, announces fare sale
July 24, 2012 for service Nov. 17, 2012
http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/travel-news/airlines/jetblue-flys-to-cayman-islands-announces-fare-sale.html
Don’t think an airline as big as JetBlue will be Hush Hush about routes to SVG. These companies have investors and most are publicly traded on the stock market. A committed $50 million USD investment to begin service to SVG within a year or two will be obvious. Expansion to new markets profitable markets drive up the price of stock.
Most of the flights will come from FL, NY, London, Toronto. Airlines, with established hubs at these locations airlines such as JetBlue, Air Canada, American Airlines and Virgin will readily announce as they have an advantage over smaller airlines.
Also, speak to to the local guest houses, realtors renting homes, insurance companies, lawyers, ask how many “anonymous” companies have been expressing interest in their services. Any company serious about doing business in a new market must investigate these and many more services and get competing quotes and commitments.
The signs will be obvious when there is real interest in a Airline setting up shop, we don’t need an announcement from the government. Let’s give them the simple task of getting an announcement from LIAT of service to Argyle.
What amazes me is that so called intelligent men and women in the Diaspora, so called world wise and knowledgeable, believe every word he utters. They still don’t understand that a lot of what he says is very simply not factual, remember he himself told us he is a liar.
stuppps..You see what I am saying? The world have left us behind. What archaic fart is the PM talking about? “they don’t want their competitors to know”? How come the airlines announce when they are planing to fly to other airports. You hear nonesense?
Is liat planning to fly to argyle..would it even be able to land at argyle. Would argyle ever be approved for operation.
Tell me for real..when will the airport be finished? Where and when will you be building the crosswing runway, the fuel tanker berth and fuel farm? Why did you reorient the runway at mid stream? Why did the professor have to leave?
stuppps..fart man
SAM, I understand from the Cubans at the airport, that the professor and the fat man had a serious falling out over what to do about the Yambou river, which runs through the last 15% of the runway or take off path of the airport. The professor refused to put his name to what was being proposed, and had one hell of an argument and left. He said he would not put his good name at risk under such proposals.
We were of course told that he left because he has retired. No professional man would up and out on his final lifetime project, something must of seriously pissed him off.
They told me the man was cussed everyway possible way, up and down with all the filthy and derogatory words possible, sound about right.
SEE ALSO
Ten 400-seater jets a day at Argyle. Possible?
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2013/06/03/ten-400-seater-jets-a-day-at-argyle-possible/
Are airlines planning to fly to Argyle a State secret?
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2013/07/06/are-airlines-planning-to-fly-to-argyle-a-state-secret/