POINTE XPRESS- AECON Construction, a Canadian company, has secured the contract to carry out significant upgrades to the runway and parking apron at VC Bird International Airport. Wendy Williams, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA), confirmed that the decision was made in the past week, though actual work at the airport won’t commence immediately.
“We first need to negotiate a contract with the firm before moving into mobilization, with construction expected to begin by the end of June,” Williams explained.
She outlined that the work will involve resurfacing certain sections of the runway, with more extensive rebuilding required in areas showing significant wear and tear. In addition to the resurfacing, the project will address various deficiencies highlighted in an aeronautics report, which is set to be completed before construction begins in mid-to-late June.
The Canadian firm submitted a bid of US$47 million for the project, which includes work on the runway, taxiways, and apron, as well as improvements to Runway #10 and the FBO facility that services private jets. Williams mentioned that improvements to the parking and taxi areas for these aircraft have already begun, with concrete slabs being added as part of the overall infrastructure enhancements approved by the Cabinet.
The government has secured a loan for the major upgrades to VC Bird International Airport, with a portion of these funds also earmarked for the extension of the runway at the new Barbuda International Airport. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed a desire for the runway extensions to progress simultaneously with the upgrades to VC Bird International.
