Dominica: Douglas Charles Airport runway completed, Ministers review enhancements

Dominica: The construction work of the Runway at the Douglas Charles Airport has been completed, marking a pivotal development of Dominica’s aviation sector. Several ministers from the federation have paid their visit to get the final update on the project.

The Minister of Tourism, Denise Charles-Pemberton, along with the chief Executive officer of Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority, Benoit Bardouille, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities, and Digital Economy, Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite went to the airport.

The Ministers were also accompanied by students of Dominica State College studying Tourism to see the completed project. This update at the airport aims to enhance its capacity, improve operational efficiency to further attract flight traffic, and provide better services to travelers.

This visit marks a significant milestone in the airport’s modernization as it highlights the completion of the project of great importance to the general public.

The Douglas Charles airport which went under construction last year was a much-anticipated project among the locals. Under this initiative, the runway has been extended to an impressive 180 meters.

The runway which was previously 1756 meters long has now been extended to 1936 metres towards the west. The runway is designed to provide safety during wet weather conditions, a common issue for islands across the Caribbean.

The project has also considered several other enhancements including parking facilities, and climate resiliency, which have been integrated.

The Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit in a press conference held last year stated that the runway has been built to meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and will also seek approval from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).

He further said that the extension to the runway and enhanced climate resiliency will attract major international airlines to the island nation, ensuring enhanced connectivity of Dominica to other parts of the world.

American Airlines, which serves the island frequently has been diverted many times due to poor weather conditions, leading to low visibility and difficulty in landing. This modification seeks to provide the region’s favourite airline to increase its services, providing more reliable and convenient travel for both passengers and airlines.

The authorities are also working for another international airport in the country, which is currently under construction and aims to provide spaces for modernized aircraft and private jets.