Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin on Tuesday said the United States’ Transport Security Administration (TSA) did not threaten a shutdown of all American routes to the Marsh Harbour International Airport as “incorrectly” reported in Tuesday’s Tribune newspaper.
In a press statement issued yesterday, Mrs. Hanna Martin also refuted claims that the airport faces a 90-day deadline to correct some major technical issues at the port of entry.
In fact, she said those reports are “misleading and incorrect.”
The aviation minister noted that the Department of Civil Aviation has reported that the TSA performed its regularly scheduled Aviation Security Review (AVSEC) of the Marsh Harbor International Airport between October 21 and 25.
“Such reviews are undertaken by the TSA on a regular basis at all airports catering to US aircraft,” she added. “Following the review a number of findings were identified by the TSA, which will be outlined to the Department of Civil Aviation in a written report.”
“It is important to note that those findings, which could be resolved immediately, were corrected and the remainders are being addressed. The TSA observed during the post-inspection review, that it anticipated that the remaining issues will fall away as soon as the new terminal is equipped and staffed for opening.”
Mrs. Hanna Martin assured members of the public that the Ministry of Works, The Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Department of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority are working assiduously to meet the anticipated opening date of the new terminal which is set for January 2014.
A major reconstruction project started on the airport in 2011 and was expected to be completed in July, but technical problems delayed the completion date.
The project is expected to include the construction of an international terminal, an air traffic control tower, a fire/crash rescue facility, a new taxiway, a new 6,100 ft runway to the south of the existing runway, the erection of new directional signs and the installation of approach, runway and taxiway lights.
