The Old Piarco terminal building is to converted into a special purpose facility for military, cargo and executive aircraft. This was revealed by Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert at yesterday's post Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair Avenue, Port-of-Spain.
Imbert said the plan was formulated several years ago and it was now being fast tracked as a result of the hosting of two major international conferences here this year – the Fifth Summit of the Americas, in April, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in November.
He noted there would be a "large number of private and corporate aircraft" arriving here for the two international meetings, "so we have accelerated the plan to create the fixed base operations at the south terminal of the Piarco International Airport."
Imbert said the new facility would include additional parking spaces, apron and taxiways for corporate and private aircraft."
Imbert said funding for the project was separate from the more than $500 million allocation for the two summits. Imbert was unable to give a cost for the project.