By the Caribbean Journal staff

Grenada is planning a major expansion of its Maurice Bishop International Airport.

The project is being backed by a $66 million concessional loan from China, according to a government release.

The project will include a parallel taxiway, loading bridges, a bypass road, passenger terminals, a second apron for cargo and an emergency center, according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell.

According to Wendy Williams, general manager of the Maurice Bishop International Airport, the expansion project will be “carefully planned to ensure [our] ability to adequately manage debt servicing.”

“We are going to have a parallel taxiway; two taxiway bridges and we also, of course, have about three loading bridges, among other projects like airport administration and emergency centre; cargo facilities; a second apron for cargo and general aviation operations, among others.” she said.

It’s a major potential boost for an island whose tourism industry has been rapidly rising.