Above: Hewanorra International Airport in St Lucia (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The bidding process for St Lucia’s airport redevelopment project is slated to begin this month, according to the International Finance Corporation.

The project will be undertaken through a public-private partnership, according to the government.

The project will include “infrastructural and operational improvements that will facilitate an expected increase in passenger arrivals and aircraft landings,” the government said in a release.

A 30-year plan has been developed for the airport, with help from the IFC.

“The  IFC  has  advised  that  the  bidding  process  will  commence  this  month (May) and should conclude with the awarding of a contract by October 2015,” Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said. “In line with the master  plan,  SLASPA  will  commence  as  early  as  June  2015,  a  program of initiatives  that  will  signal  the  start  of  the  redevelopment  of  the  airport,  but equally seeks to address capacity concerns and safety considerations.”

Among the project’s features will be a realignment and extension of the airport’s runway turning bay, the construction of a new technical tower and an additional parking apron.