Stephon Nicholas
Tobago Correspondent
The ANR Robinson International Airport’s new terminal building has been fully certified for operations, with officials yesterday receiving the documents required to formally commission the facility.
The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure handed over the certificates to Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and representatives of Airports Authority during a ceremony at the airport in Crown Point.
In a media release, the ministry said the terminal holds international aviation, safety and environmental certifications, including two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications from the US Green Building Council. It added that it has also acquired compliance certifications under International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organisation and Federal Aviation Administration frameworks, giving the legal green light to operate.
The certificates were accompanied by contractor and manufacturer warranties covering all principal building systems and operating manuals prescribing the maintenance, safety and operational procedures required for the day-to-day management of the terminal.
Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John said, “What is transferred today is a certified, commissioned and fully documented terminal building. The certifications are its legal authority to operate, the warranties protect the public’s investment, and the operating manuals must guide every maintenance decision from this day forward.”
There was a practical opening of the airport in March last year, with ex-finance minister Colm Imbert predicting the terminal would be fully operational by July 2025. However, the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) said an extensive programme of works was undertaken to bring the facility to operational readiness.
Among the works done included: completion of taxiway asphalt pavement; installation and commissioning of the airfield lighting system; integration of the Constant Current Regulator with the Air Traffic Control Tower; mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems testing and commissioning; baggage handling and security inspection equipment commissioning; and operational readiness, activation and transition (ORAT) programme facilitated by Munich Airport International.
The ORAT programme brought together operational stakeholders, including the Airports Authority, Immigration, Customs, the police service, the fire service, Port Health, Swissport, Caribbean Airlines and Plant Quarantine to develop standard operating procedures, conduct staff training and carry out functional trials in preparation for the opening of the terminal.
“The completion of this process represents a significant step toward the activation and operationalisation of a modern international aviation facility in service of Tobago’s long-term economic development,” the release said.
The airport has a capacity to accommodate three million passengers annually, but that level of traffic is unlikely owing to a consistent decline in tourist arrivals.
Augustine has repeatedly stressed the importance of four- and five-star hotels on the island to attract a certain standard of visitors to help drive the tourism product.
He recently noted the terminal would need to be built out with concessionaires providing food, liquor and other items for travellers.
In March, Augustine hinted at a grand opening for the airport to coincide with the island’s annual October carnival.
Rowley: Government
playing games
Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley has accused the Government of “playing games” in its attempt to “take credit” for the project.
Rowley believes the Government has deliberately delayed the opening, which he believes could have been ready by June 2025.
In a WhatsApp message to Guardian Media, Rowley said, “The elevators were in and working. The gates to the planes were in and working. Technical equipment for ticketing and various security measures were in and operational.”
He said the only outstanding matter was connecting the fuel line from the old facility to the new one through the already approved underground tunnelling.
“Games can now be played and lies told to take credit, but facts don’t disappear because someone says otherwise.”
PNM Tobago Council leader Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis described the airport as a gamechanger for Tobago, adding it was a generation-long goal delivered by the PNM.
She too queried why it could not have been opened sooner.
“This airport was built; the construction part, we would have already done a ceremony for that. The airport was kept closed for a whole year.”
The ex-Tobago West MP accused the UNC administration of prioritising the housing of the US military-grade radar at the airport instead of trying to open it.
She added that the PNM had plans for multiple luxury resorts on the island to attract visitors.
“It was not supposed to be an airport only. It should have been an airport accompanied by the Sandals hotel and the Marriott at Rocky Point. Here we are — no Sandals and the Rocky Point fighting up.”
The ex-tourism minister said arrivals on the island have fallen drastically over the years and urged the authorities to execute a proper plan.
