Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, has toured the ground handling companies at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), as the facility prepares for the upcoming 2025/2026 winter season.
The GAIA has an influx of operational activities during the months of November to mid-March, and the Minister, along with acting Permanent Secretary (International Transport), Charley Browne, visited the airport’s tarmac to look at what will be in place to facilitate the efficiency of the standard operating procedures (SOP).
During the tour, they viewed equipment purchased by Caribbean Aircraft Handling (CAH), Goddards Catering Group and GAIA, as well as the improvements made to change the Concorde Museum into the air-to-sea Concorde Experience facility.
Following the tour, the Minister stressed the importance of investing in new equipment and thanked the companies for their investment.
“It’s important for us to not only invest in the infrastructure, but it’s equally important for us to invest in equipment. Barbados…depends largely on tourism, and it’s important that we get tourism right from the point of arrival on through to the point of departure….
When we look around and see the number of pieces of equipment, we have to say thank you to Caribbean Aircraft Handling and Goddards Catering Group, because they have really stepped up. They’re responding to the Government’s call, and they have made significant investments,” Minister Gooding-Edghill stated.
He also said the fulfilment of the request to acquire new equipment is in response to Barbados’ airlift strategy, which is to increase the number of existing flights, as well as bring new airlines to the island; and as such, it will require more equipment to serve the increase, especially during the winter season.
According to the CAH’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lemuel Padmore, the equipment purchased between 2022 and this financial year totalled $8 million. It included non-driving belt conveyors, covered smart steps, electric high-loaders, an auxiliary power unit, and electric golf carts to move cabin crew from aircraft to aircraft.
Goddards Catering Group Inc. Country Manager for Barbados, Frederic Deetjen, and General Manager, Caribbean (South), Ainsley Rajkumar, shared that $4 million was invested in acquiring a push-back tractor, capable of handling larger aircraft, including the A380, container loaders, catering lift trucks, and ambu-lift. They said the organisation plans to invest an additional $8.5 million in aviation, and sky and airport dining.
The entities will also employ over 100 personnel to assist with the influx of traffic through the GAIA during the upcoming winter season.
GAIA Inc.’s CEO, Hadley Bourne, said $6 million was spent on transforming the Concorde Museum into the air-to-sea Concorde Experience facility. This facility has a seating capacity for 800 passengers; mobile scanners and the same amenities in the departure lounge.
In addition, $2 million was invested in electric terminal passenger buses. Currently, two are on the island, and two more will arrive this week to facilitate airside transfer to the arrivals hall.
Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg