The Nevis Island Administration officially broke ground on the long-awaited expansion of the Vance W. Amory International Airport on Wednesday, July 1, marking what Premier Mark Brantley described as a historic milestone in the island’s development.
The ceremony, held at the airport expansion site near the existing Newcastle facility, signaled the start of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever undertaken on Nevis. Government officials, invited guests and members of the public attended the event celebrating the beginning of construction.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Premier Brantley expressed his excitement as the project officially moved from planning to construction.
“I am currently at the groundbreaking ceremony for the start of the Vance W. Amory International Airport Project,” he said. “I feel so proud to see this project moving from discussion to implementation!”
Brantley described the commencement of construction as the realization of years of planning and collaboration, noting that the expansion represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Nevis’ history.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony during his June 30 press conference, Brantley said the project was the culmination of years of planning, negotiations and collaboration.
The Premier thanked the many individuals who helped bring the project to the implementation stage, noting that government engineering consultant Michael Perkins will oversee the execution of the project.
“We have asked Michael Perkins, who as we know is an engineer and a consultant to the government, to lead that process now that we are at the project implementation stage,” Brantley said.
Brantley also paid tribute to former Minister and current Speaker of the Nevis Island Assembly, Alexis Jeffers, whom he credited with guiding the initiative from its earliest stages.
“It would be remiss of me if I did not thank the Hon. Alexis Jeffers, whom I tasked from day one to deliver this project for the people of Nevis. He has taken it to this stage,” the Premier said.
While construction on the airport has now commenced, Brantley disclosed that discussions continue regarding the land-side infrastructure package, which is expected to be financed through approximately US$20 million in concessionary funding from the Republic of China (Taiwan). He explained that the financing still requires a federal government guarantee before that phase can proceed.
“The Honourable Prime Minister and I have had a number of discussions on that. I think that we might have a way, but so far that has not yet been finalized,” Brantley said.
Despite the outstanding financing issue, the Premier emphasized that work on the airport itself would move forward immediately.
“What we are going to proceed with is the airport side — that is the airstrip, the landing strip and all of those,” he said, adding, “Airplanes need to land on a runway. We should not delay the project talking about roads and other infrastructure. Let us get the runway done.”
Brantley also thanked businessman Patrick Drahi for his assistance in helping advance the project.
“I want to thank again Mr. Patrick Drahi, who has come forward and has assisted us. He has been quite anxious to get the project going, and so we are finally where we need to be to move this forward,” he said.
The approximately US$37 million airport expansion will transform the Vance W. Amory International Airport into a modern regional gateway capable of accommodating larger aircraft and facilitating direct flights from the United States.
The project includes extending the existing 4,000-foot runway, constructing a new control tower, expanding the terminal building, installing upgraded refuelling facilities, building a new fire station, creating private jet parking, improving lighting and fencing, adding a fuel farm and expanding the vehicle parking apron.
Managed by Perez Engineering Consulting Services Ltd., construction is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.
Once completed, the expanded airport is expected to significantly enhance Nevis’ tourism sector, improve regional and international connectivity, attract new investment and create long-term economic opportunities for the island.
Photos Courtesy of L.K. Hewlett Department of Information Nevis Island Administration