| AIRPORT MAGAZINE EXTRACTS |
| It is not by accident that this ultra-modern terminal building stands before you today. Instead, it is a direct result of careful planning and foresight of my administration, who are determined that if we are to fully maximise our tourism product, it is important that our visitors, and locals as well, be able to fly in and out of Nevis with as little inconvenience as possible. This new structure compliments the efforts of the CCM Administration, the Nevis Tourism Authority and the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority to attract larger carriers to service routes to Nevis. Today, we are already reaping the rewards of our efforts as two major airlines are already flying regularly scheduled Dash 8 services into Newcastle Airport, with a third carrier American Eagle, scheduled to commence operations in December. This is a direct result of completion of this ultra?modern facility. These recent improvements in both the air and sea ports coupled with an improved road network are the necessary infrastructural bases on which the future economic development will be constructed. It is obvious that the economic spin?off resulting from this rapid rate of development will be enormous. I wish to extend sincere appreciation to the Director General and all the staff of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and the people of Kuwait for their generosity in providing funding for this very important project. I must also make mention of the consultants who designed this wonderful edifice. The supervisory consultant David Lashley and Associates, the contractors Grupo Deyca Internacional and our own local engineers, especially the Hon. Michael Perkins and the staff of the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of Finance and the Board and Management of the Nevis Air & Sea Ports Authority. This has been a very demanding undertaking, requiring a high level of co-operation and creativity, but the end product is a work of quality, both aesthetically and functionally, of which we can all be proud. Finally, I want to challenge all Nevisians to position themselves to take full advantage of the tremendous opportunities that will become available as our CCM Administration continues with its program of economic development of our country. Best wishes. Vance Amory Premier |
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| The older folks also remember the late Mary Pomeroy who owned and operated the Nisbetts' Plantation Inn, with great admiration. In those early days when planes were a novelty to Nevis, Mary Pomeroy owned and operated a Piper Cherokee aircraft. The original dirt strip was indeed very short. Lloyd Lescott (who provided tremendous help in sourcing information) remembers that the Runway once had a "Stop" sign at the end of it. Fortunately, it could not have been very effective as the planes managed to complete their landings and take offs safely. Our history shows that a Canadian Company, named Viva Asphalt Paving Company Ltd., first paved the runway in 1968. This surface lasted until 1977/78 when Higgs & Hill resurfaced the runway. During the period 1985 to 1990, the Canadian sponsored Caribbean Airports Project provided another overlay, a new lighting system, a new Crash Fire Rescue vehicle, a new tractor, a new fire hall/maintenance building, several other pieces of equipment and excellent staff training. The Government assisted by reconfiguring and adding to the old terminal building. However, in response to traffic growth, the runway was extended to its present length of 1220 meters or 4026 feet in 1998 and an Air Traffic Control Tower was commissioned in 1999. This brought us to our present status in 2002 when we are very honoured to occupy and operate a new ultra modern terminal building. This allows us to deliver first class services in a first class facility. I hasten to pay respect to those who paved the way. They include Charles O'Flaherty who was the first caretaker from 1956/57 to 1966, and Mr. Reginald Brandy from 1966 to 1986. Many of our islands finest workers have helped to pave the way for our current employees. These include the late Reginald Wallace, "Barba" Morton, Bobby" Browne and Georgina Mills. The list of Customs employees includes Pedro Pension, Ed Arthurton, Spencer Hanley, Harris Innis, Claudius Sutton, Stephen Jones, Lloyd Lescott and Andrew Merchant. Police, Immigration & Fire Officers included Vincent Spooner, James Dyer, "Z" Hanley and David "El" Hendrickson. To a man, the above persons agree that the early days were filled with fun. They remember that Saturday was cooking day and that all workers shared in the cooking. In fact, when the cooking went bad, as was sometimes the case with the odd barracuda or other poisonous fish, almost every airport worker visited the doctor. We remember those difficult days with pride; we salute the present with a sense of achievement and eagerly anticipate the challenges of the future . Carlisle Powell Airport Manager 1986 to present |
| Airport Upgrade Facilitates Newcastle Take-off At 1:23 p.m. local time, on Thursday, 7 January, 1999, the Nevisian public witnessed the arrival of the first jet engine aircraft at Newcastle Airport. Captain Bruce Tischer and First Officer Stephanis of Sackett Corporation piloted the Falcon 50 aircraft, registration number N129JE, from White Plains, New York (KHPN). This pioneer flight opened the airways to other corporate jets, such as the Falcon 90 and 2000; Gates Lear Jets LR25, 35, 55 and 60; Challengers CL60; Gulf Stream G2 and G3; Hawker 125; Cessna Citations; and Beech 400s. This development had its genesis in the runway upgrading works of 1997, which included the expansion of the runway from 610m to 1,220m in length and from 20m to 30m in width, as well as the installation of new airfield lighting and a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system. The project also included the installation of Automatic Weather Station (AWS); a modern, fully equipped Air Traffic Control building; a new solar obstruction light at Hurricane Hill; a new 110Kva generator set; and an Oshkosh T1500 Fire Tender. It was all completed in December 1998, and immediately following, the new facilities became available for use. However, the ATC building remained closed while the Nevisian Air Traffic controllers attended a two-week refresher training programme in Anguilla. On their return, they underwent in?house training with the state-of-the-art equipment for one month. After overcoming the hurdles of inspections and certification by the OECS Directorate of Civil Aviation, the Newcastle Air Traffic Services began full operations at 10:00 UTC, or 6:00 a.m. local, on Monday, 1 March, 1999. This was a milestone in Nevis history since, prior to this date, Newcastle Airport was published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) for the Eastern Caribbean as an uncontrolled aerodrome. Previously, all aircraft operating into and out of Newcastle were given an advisory service from the Air Traffic Service Unit on St. Kitts. During the Air Traffic Services Unit's first year of operations, Newcastle Airport received 125 corporate jets. The airport was also graced with the arrival of a French West ATR72 from Guadeloupe, which departed for that island with 61 passengers on board. Eagle has proposed 15 December, 2002, as the commencement of its scheduled flight service into Newcastle. Carriers already servicing the airport include LIAT, WINAIR, Coastal Air, Carib Aviation, Nevis Express/US Airways, SVG Air and Caribbean Star Airlines. They link Nevis to the major hubs of San Juan, Puerto Rico; V.C. Bird International, Antigua; and Princess Juliana, St. Maarten. The couriers DHL, Worldwide Express and Federal Express also serve the airport. As we keep abreast of the new challenges of this millennium and beyond, training remains an integral part of the development of the Newcastle Air Traffic Services Unit. We remain an equal opportunity employer, proudly reflecting this fact in the training of three members of staff in meteorology and aeronautical information services. Soon, we will welcome competent female air traffic controllers to Newcastle Airport. By Brian Dyer Senior Air Traffic Control Officer |
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| Greetings! Today's event is indeed a proud moment for me both personally and as Premier of this country. I am certain that it is also a special moment for all Nevisians, as it signals the completion of yet another phase in the infrastructural development of this country. It underscores the commitment given by my administration in ensuring that the infrastructure of Nevis is developed to a level not only where all Nevisians can feel comfortable, but one that puts us on par with many of our counterparts in the region. I am sure this new terminal building has surpassed all expectations and is certainly a step in the right direction. |
| History of Newcastle Airport By Carlisle Powell, Airport Manager Research suggests that the Newcastle Airport commenced operations in late 1956 or early 1957. The early work of creating an airfield was done by the Nevis Public Works Department under the supervision of Foremen such as the late Reginald Griffin. The older folk am5ong us remember that many of the boulders, which created a stable foundation for the Runway, came from Butlers Village. |
| MESSAGE FROM HON. VANCE AMORY PREMIER OF NEVIS |
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