Heads of State arriving for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be the first to experience the new Executive Jet Centre which is the first phase of a $300 million International Aviation Business Park.
So said Works and Transport Minister, Colm Imbert during the formal opening of an Executive Jet Centre at the South Terminal of the Piraco International Airport, yesterday. Imbert said the Executive Jet Centre also known as the Fixed Base of Operations (FBO) is intended to provide a full range of primary services to operators of non-commercial aviation aircraft and increase business development. He added that the $52 million phase one project is to provide first-class experience for corporate and executive travellers and to become the preferred destination in this part of the world. He said this would allow users to arrive and transit the airport within ten minutes of arrival time. Caribbean Airlines was approved by Cabinet for the management role of the Jet Centre. The Centre has the capacity for the handling of 13 aircraft including five wide-body positions equipped with in-ground fuel pits, Imbert said.
"This would also facilitate private and corporate jet traffic which would avoid the current incompatibility with scheduled and charter commercial traffic," he added. He noted that the Executive Jet Centre is a fully self-sufficient and stand-lone facility which is not intended to form part of the general commercial airline operations at Piarco Airport." Asked if there were plans for the Prime Minister or any minister to acquire a jet, he said "there were no plans at this time to acquire any jet." Making reference to the economic downturn, he was asked if the Centre would attract a substantial amount of businesses, Imbert said one of the main purpose was to use the facility as a hub and we expect to attract those in the region. He said cabinet has also given approval to the Airports Authority of T&T for funding to begin infrastructural works such as drainage, electricity and new roads for the continuation of the International Aviation Business Park.
Stage two of the project, he said would include aviation fuel bunkering facilities, independent link with meteorological office and air traffic control. Also in attendance was Planning, Housing and the Environment minister, Emily Dick-Forde, Executive Chairman of UDecott, Calder Hart and CEO of Caribbean Airlines, Ian Brunton. Hart came in high praise from the Ministers for the quick delivery of the facility. The initial project was completed in 42 days by Shanghai Construction.
Facilities include
Arms inspection room, two full VIP rooms, two executive grade lounges, meeting rooms, Port Health and Detention room
Services include
Fuelling, hangar storage, customs, flight planning, same-day and overnight accomodation, ground handling, immigration, conference rooms, internet services.