News

St Lucia Planning Redevelopment, Private Management of Hewanorra Airport

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - May 10, 2015 - 11:57 am

Above: Hewanorra International Airport in St Lucia

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia’s government is planning to allow its Hewanorra International Airport to be managed independently.

The country announced this week that a bill would be laid in Parliament to allow the airport to be run by an “independent entity” on the basis of competitive bidding.

“The Saint Lucia Government has plans to improve operations at the Hewannorra International Airport through a public/private partnership,” the government said in a release.

According to St Lucia Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, the aim is to “ensure that redevelopment of the airport does not come at an unmanageable cost to the state.”

“Government is being assisted by the International Finance Corporation, an entity owned by the World Bank, in developing this framework,” Louisy said.

The proposed public-private partnership would “redefine the role of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority,” she said.

“This approach will relieve SLASPA of some of their responsibilities while allowing the new entity to utilize SLASPA’s employees to manage and redevelop the airport without causing a strain on the public purse,” she said. “This will offer a greater level of service to the traveling public, and provide an international gateway that all Saint Lucians may be proud of.”

If realized, St Lucia’s plan would make it the latest in a series of new Caribbean airport project, including newly-launched projects in Grand Cayman and those closer to completion like St Vincent and Antigua.

Note: An earlier version of the headline of this story included the word “privatization,” clearly referring to the independent management of the airport mentioned in the story. CJ decided to amend the headline after a stern objection from a representative of the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, who claimed that the word “privatization” had a unique definition in St Lucia.

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


This Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Is Coming to Barbados —  And You Can Book It With Points

new brand for the caribbean

Barbados has long been a haven for adults in search of refinement — the kind of place where luxury and culture blend in quiet, confident harmony. Now, that ethos is becoming the foundation of a new resort concept that aims […]


Related Posts martinique french caribbean hostpot

A Legendary Caribbean Chef Just Opened a New Eatery in Martinique (With a Rum Bar, Too) 

Maybe you’ve tried the foie gras-banana. Or the swordfish. Or just tried one of the best ti’ punches anywhere. If you’ve been to one of Guy Ferdinand’s establishments, you know.  And now there’s another one: Ferdinand has done it again: […]


These 5 Caribbean Cities Are Perfect for a Quick Weekend Getaway

old san juan puerto rico caribbean cities

The Caribbean is about more than just its stunning natural beauty — it’s about culture, character, and city streets that feel like they’ve lived a hundred lives. Some of the most memorable escapes happen not on a remote cay, but […]


The Dreamiest Rainforest Resorts in the Caribbean, From Dominica to Belize

rainforest resorts

The Caribbean is often imagined as a string of sun-drenched beaches — white sand, turquoise water, and endless horizon. And while that version of the Caribbean is very real, it’s only part of the story. Move beyond the shoreline, and […]