PM optimistic about meeting with LIAT officials on night landing

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is optimistic that a meeting Friday with LIAT officials regarding the airline’s night flights into the island will yield favourable results.

Skerrit, who addressed a Dominica Diaspora Entrepreneurship Forum earlier this week, said that matters are expected to be finalized between the two parties on the issue.

“On Friday… I will be meeting with the officials of LIAT to seek to finalize the issue of they coming into Dominica, particularly from Antigua and Barbados at night, and I have no doubt that we  will have positive results at those discussions on Friday,” he stated.

The prime minister took the opportunity to defend government’s decision to introduce night landing at the Melville Hall Airport as opposed to the construction of an international airport.

“There has been a debate among us, in the country and outside of Dominica, as to whether it is a waste of money to put at the Melville Hall Airport. Now, we’ve been waiting for an international airport for the last 25 years, more than that…. I believe that if we had taken that action 25 or 30 years ago to put night landing at Melville Hall back then, the issue of international airport today would not have been a matter for discussion because we would have that international airport,” he stated.

He added: “And this government is not opposed to an international airport as we’ve said…. But we have to appreciate that the airport cost money. So everybody’s saying we should build, we should build, we should build, but nobody is telling us how we should be build it and where we’re getting the monies to build the international airport.”

The prime minister believes that at an estimated cost of over US$400 million, obtaining funds for an international airport through borrowing is not a viable option as it will put the country into further debt.

“Are you saying that we should go and borrow the money to build it? Because I believe that airport will cost at least about US $400 million. So it’s a costly exercise. So we decided as a government that in the short to medium term, in terms of addressing air access into Dominica the better thing to do is to improve the Melville Hall Airport and introduce night operations,” he stated.

He said that while there are some who are “hoping and praying that no plane comes to Dominica at night” Dominicans should collectively encourage the airline to make night flights.

“I believe if the airline hears us in one single voice encouraging them to come in at night they will be more encouraged to come at night rather than the division in this country on a very important project,” he said.

“This investment, we believe, once we can get the night landing from LIAT and others going, it will serve a tremendous good for Dominica,” the PM stated.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

87 Comments

  1. Comrade comrade
    November 8, 2010

    Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Comrade Skerrit on being the first Head of Government in Dominica to introduce night landing. But is this good enough? Ofcourse not! Dominicans night landing is good all the time and all the time night landing is good but without an airport capable of accommodation long haul flights from North America and Europe, night landing will only be fashionable in words. our luggage will still manhandled in antigua and elsewhere in the other HUBS and we capacity to get more visitors and those signature hotels we dreaming of. Folks…my suggestion is to seriously consider a jet airport…otherwise we will not see the real benefits of air access… and no bullshit about cost…it’s a cost to SVG as well…we need a damn international airport…COMRADE

  2. DA
    November 7, 2010

    that’s right skerrit labour is the best

  3. Lycan
    November 7, 2010

    God will always continue to bless Dominica, when we learn to creep we will walk. I’m proud of our accomplishments soo far. e will get there one day. Mr PM God Bless You.

  4. Citizen
    November 7, 2010

    Skerritt can have discussions with LIAT from now till doom’s day, night landing at Melville Hall has nothing to do with political discussions but TECHNICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, Skerritt is no engineer, no technician, does not even understand that when there is a Hurricane Warning the citizens of Dominica should not be allowed to go to the Stadium for the party that must go on at the Creole Festival, putting thousands of lives at risk from flying debris in the dark of night.
    So any discussions Skerrit has with Liat will not bring night landing if the safety requirements are not met. Skerrit must realize that this is not the portfolios of his dotish ministers that run their ministries by remote control. The sooner re recognizes his limitations the better, let the technical professionals do their job and KEEP OFF.

  5. INSIDER
    November 7, 2010

    @Bojangles: THE MELVILLEHALL UPGRADE AS IT IS COMMONLY REFFERED TO BY GOVERNMENT COST IN THE REGION OF 125 TO 150 MILLION EASTERN CARIBBEAN (EC) DOLLARS.

    NOW MR PM LET THE PPL KNOW THE TRUTH. THE APPROACH FOR NIGHT LANDING HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (E.C.C.A.A) THEREFORE LIAT HAS DECIDED NOT TO OPERATE AT NIGHTS INTO DOMINICA UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT ITS APPROVED. THE PM AND GOVERNMENT HAS KNOWN THAT ALL ALONG CUZ LIAT HAD CONVEYED THAT INFO TO THEM IN THE PAST AND AGAIN WHEN THEY MET ON FRIDAY.

    THE AIRPORT FACILITY HAS BEEN APPROVED BUT THE APPROACH IS STILL NOT APPROVED.

    THATS THE FACT AND THE PM NOR GOVERNMENT CAN DISPUTE THAT

  6. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 7, 2010

    @countryman:

    ” Air transport should not be the only access we should be discussing here. Maybe we need get a regular ferry service from Guadeloupe and Martinique into Dominica and have an arrangement were we don’t necessarily have to have french visas when in transit.”

    It would appear that you missed the point completely!

    Federal Maple, Federal Palm, Flying Fish, Caribe, and other ships once transported people from across the Caribbean to Dominica. In their day Melville Hall Airport was in operation also.

    The Federal Palm, and Maple were the last to become redundant, yet Dominica remains the same as when all of the ships mentioned sailed in and out of Dominica.

    The introduction of some boat (ship) to transport people from Guadeloupe, and Martinique to Dominica will not make any difference.

    Can’t you see it will not make any difference to what we hope to accomplish with an International Airport?

    I assume that you are suggesting that the international tourrist fly to Guadeloupe, or Martinique, and then board a ship, and sail to Dominica.

    Is that it?

    If that’s not the case; you might be suggesting all the people who will be visiting our country will derive only from Martinique, and Guadeloupe?

    The purpose of an International Airport is to allow people internationally the opportunity to fly from point A to Dominica directly without a stay over on another island, and having to deal with boarding a commuter airline such as LIAT the next day bound for Dominica.

    When we speak of International flights, we are talking about flights originating outside of the Caribbean.

    I.E. A flight leaving London, Paris, Germany, Canada, anywhere in the continental United States, China, anywhere in Africa, or South America, Australia, and such places, flying none-stop, landing in Dominica, such flights are International Flights.

    Thus a special type of Aircraft is required to undertake such flights due to the distance, and so the size of such aircraft comes into play; requiring a particular size of Runway, to accommodate landing and take-off of these larger aircrafts.

    Thus we derive the name International Airports:

    What constitutes an International Airport?

    The length and width of the Runway!

    Most of our people are counting pennies, and that is why, even the more intelligent of our people are complaining that ” Four Hundred Million Dollars. that’s too much; Dominica cannot afford that!”

    Well, that’s what happens when people like to procrastinate. Less than fifteen years ago, it may have cost less than half of the proposed cost today.

    Some politicians then claimed it was too expensive, and that they could get it built for a fraction of the proposed cost, or they believe that some nation, or godfather would hand us an International Airport on a silver platter:

    That will never happen in our nation’s lifetime.

    In the event that an International Airport materializes in Dominica, it will come through the efforts of our people.

    It’s inevitable; wether we like it or not, we may have to borrow or beg, for the money to construct a new International Airport, or do without it completely, thus Dominica will continue to be one of the most underdeveloped country in the universe.

    We will remain as backward as we are right now!

    If we exist in the twenty-first century, we must shed the fourteenth century mentality and seek to bring some progress, and development to the people of our country.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  7. countryman
    November 6, 2010

    Air transport should not be the only access we should be discussing here. Maybe we need get a regular ferry service from Guadeloupe and Martinique into Dominica and have an arrangement were we don’t necessarily have to have french visas when in transit. The infrastructure to make this happen is less than an international airport. the first? An independent economics of an international airport has to be done to determine whether it is a viable venture. Right now I just hearing and seeing numbers flying all over.

    Use the $400 million to develop our indigenous energy resources and infrastructure. The importation of oil for energy generation is far more crippling to our people than the airport issue. We will pay back for that quicker and increase our productivity with reliable cheaper energy which will place us in a better economic position down the road to justify building an international airport – which will by the way benefit from a reliable source of cheap clean energy.

    WAKE UP MY PEOPLE!!

  8. FRANSISCO DODE TELE MACK KACK
    November 6, 2010

    PEOEPLE HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE SMART A******** FRANSISCO DOD TELEMACK KACK ” Your are an nobody without commonsense, nor understanding, call me what you wish, that will not change anything in my life, nor will your stupid comments extract anything from my brain.” WHAT AN ARROGANT IDIOT- THIS FRANSISCO. DONT YOU REALIZE THAT NO NOE IS IMPRESSED WITH YOUR PERADE. YOU ARE SO SMART THAT YOU CAN’T EVEN RECOGNIZE THAT I WAS ACTUALLY USING YOU TO PROVE MY POINT. AGAIN YOU ARE VERY CONDESCENDING ; SHOW OFF,A LIAR AND PRETENDER.

  9. JAH BLESS
    November 6, 2010

    @Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque: CANADIAN MOO-MOO BOAST NOT THY SELF , GLOAT NOT FOR IN A SECOND IT CAN BE ALL GONE. JFK JR PRINCESS DI, MANY MANY MORE HAD IT ALL.IS IT OF ANY USE TO THEM? STOP COMING ON HERE AND SPEAKING CRAP . CAN YOUR DAMN DEGREES CHANGE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE STILL ENSLAVED BY YOUR STUPID MENTALITY. TAKE THOSE SAME DEGREES AND GO TEACH ADULT EDUCATION TO YOUR DAMN BROTHERS AND SISTER WHO NEEDS IT MORE. STOP YOUR FOOLISHNESS, TAKE YOUR DEGREES AND COME HOME TO WESLEY AND PUT THEM TO USE ,MOO-MOO

  10. lamo
    November 6, 2010

    dno please give info on that nite malnding…i want to come home for carnival

  11. MARIGOT 69
    November 6, 2010

    @Nov3rdlike you would even know a donkey if it kicked you jack azzzzzzzzzzzzzn night landing was is n will remain a ting skerrit try n it doh work, s continue to bray uwp hola hooray

  12. homegirl
    November 6, 2010

    idiot – did u even understand wat homeboy was sayin…

  13. Big-Bannan
    November 5, 2010

    I swear i heard an anouncer on Kairi FM talk about an entertainer who had landed at 1030 in the night, and he commented at the show about how “Night Landing” in Dominica was actually happening.

  14. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 5, 2010

    @FRANSICO DODE TELEMAC KACK:

    Yes, you idiot, there are lots of people with degrees, in Dominica, but can they make a living with their degree?

    I made a career out of mine, thus it afforded me to retire at 47 years old.

    What about you?

    You little rat, what are you doing for a living?

    What’s your occupation in life? I am multitalented, capable of making a living at more than one profession, so I am in a position to boast; anything I boast abut, anything that I write, and you read can also be authenticated.

    There is always a source, I am not like you who babbles, and spew venom at people you jealous, just to hear your feeble mind pulsating, and nothing of substance can be obtained from your thoughts.

    Let me remind you if you are an idiot, an uneducated peasant, a Dominica, Crab catcher, the privilege that you have of entering an Internet Cafe, and spending a few cents, to sit in front of a Computer Monitor, and Keyboard, cannot educate you.

    You are dumb, you will remain dumb after your pocket change runs out.

    Anything I comment on is from an intellectual point of view, and not from anything I learnt from any bush doctor, nor a bush lawyer in Dominica.

    I know there are lots of them in Wesley, and Marigot, and in some other parts of Dominica.

    I went into many institutions of education to educate my mind, and change my life in the process, it did not come easy, or by me pretending to be smart.

    I know that you are an uneducated idiot, by judging you from the crap you write. First of all only an idiot, a darn fool writes in all capital letters.

    The very first day I entered kindergarten in Wesley, I was taught that the first letter, in the names of people, animal, places, and things: the first letter must be a capital letter, and all the following must be written in lower case, or common letters.

    Thus, if your name is Dog, the first letter ” D” must be capitalized, as such ” the Dog!

    When you commence a sentence, the first letter of a sentence must start also with a capital letter.

    For instance here is my opinion of you.

    ” I think that you are an idiot, with no apparent scholastic background, or education at all!”

    Perfect sentence, note, there is only one capital letter in that one line sentence in quotation, and that letter is the ” I. ”

    You are nothing more than a pile of garbage looking for notice, and recognition; you idiot!

    Your are an nobody without commonsense, nor understanding, call me what you wish, that will not change anything in my life, nor will your stupid comments extract anything from my brain.

    What is in my head, educationally, and scientifically, you will never inherit it, even if I die tonight; I’ll be absent from my body to be present with my God, while you remain here, living the life of an idiot that you are, to the day you die!

    You low class pieces of mucus, you bit of Banana Plantation field trash.

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  15. FRANSICO DODE TELEMAC KACK
    November 5, 2010

    FRANSICO I SEE THAT YOUMARE BACK BUT WITH THE SAME BRAGADACIOUS AND ARROGANT ATTITUDE. I THOUGHT YOU TOOK A BREAK IN ORDER TO PERFORM AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. YOU NEED TO STOP COMING ON HERE BRAGING ABOUT YOUR DEGREE. FRANSICO THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DOMINICANS WITH DEGREES THOSE LEAVING IN DOMINICA AND THOSE AWAY. SO YOUR DARN DEGREE IS JUST ANOTHER DEGREE. WE ARE ALL TIRED OF YOUR CONDESCENDING BEHAVIOR. IF THAT IS YOUR MO JUST GO AWAY MEN.

  16. All my support
    November 5, 2010

    Read the Emperor’s New Clothes. Skerrit is the emperor and his supporters are the people. Next he will convince them that Dominica is a First World Country

  17. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 5, 2010

    @Anonymous:

    Anonymous!

    Let it be known that I have absolutely no intention of picking on you nor debating you personally, but such comments as I read, is pure nonsense; nevertheless, I must admit that the reason for such comments are all due to the lack of education, and by that I do not mean a lack of scholastic education.

    People in Dominica are not educated to the fact that any airport constructed, and used for commercial, and any other form of flights should be able to pay for itself, since the purpose of such venture is to generate revenue.

    ” Make Money!”

    I am not a politician, I have absolutely no intention to interfere into Dominica’s politics, however, because I am Dominica born, I’ll forever be connected to Dominica, if not Wesley proper, so the lack of progress in the country, has a negative effect on me.

    First of all, we need to educate the public to the fact, that the main purpose of an International Airport on the island is to make access in, and out of the country much easier, and secondly bring more visitors into the country.

    Thirdly, there is absolutely no place on earth, including Dominica where any aircrafts land, and take-off for free!

    Each time an aircraft lands, the operators pay for a landing.

    Each time the same aircraft takes of the operators of the same aircraft pays another fee for the take-off.

    If that’s not the way it is done in Dominica, that is an indication that we are operating behind the times.

    Let it also be known that landing fees are supposed to be charged by the ton.

    The heavier the aircraft, the greater the amount in fees it will be for taking off, and landing.

    In Los Angeles, the going rate the last time I checked, they were paying $3.50 per ton, so assuming that an aircraft is weighing 100 ton X 3.50 that should equal approximately $2,000.00 on landing, and two thousand dollars on take-off.

    So, it would appear that the amount of money generated by the Airport, would depend on the volume of traffic in an out of the airport, it would depend on the number of flights we can get coming to the country.

    Most people are of the opinion that all activities such as landing and take-off is free.

    We must change that belief by educating the nation to the truth, thus the sentiments of some may change.

    We must also be reminded that with an International Airport, visitors arriving by air on vacation usually stay a matter of not less than ten days on the island, thus they must spend; that will cause money to circulate within the economy.

    On departure, as long as one remain on any of the Caribbean islands for a matter of seven days, on departure, they are also subjected to the departure fee, tax, or whatever we call it in Dominica; and that’s part of the money that is generated to pay for the maintenance, and repayment of any loan that was used in the construction of the airport.

    Fear is our nation greatest enemy!

    And this fear has long been an obstacle in the way of development in our country.

    Here we are talking about building a Presidential Resident at a cost of somewhere in the region of twenty-five, or twenty-seven million dollars, be it in United States, or Eastern Caribbean Currency, which in any language of currency, is a huge amount of money.

    After that building is completed, there shall be no revenue generated from it, except if we are going to have visiting dignitaries pay for time they spent visiting with the president, or charge the locals for just standing at the entrance of the building.

    If we do not have the money in our treasury, to finance such a venture, the alternative is to borrow it, and there is nothing wrong with that!

    If we look at the Economy of St. Vincent, which is worst off than ours, we should be asking ourselves, how, and where are the people of St. Vincent going to get the money to repay the loans they have acquired to be used in building their International Airport?

    It is one thing to be consumed, and overwhelm by fear, however, the longer we procrastinate, it is the more expensive the project will become.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  18. MAVERICK
    November 5, 2010

    Money will make Zandoli sing garcon. On an over the top basis LIAT’s operation cost would be say $4000 /flight form Dominica to Antigua. It would be very difficult to turn down an opportunity to make $45 K for that very same flight. Each pilot could walk away with at least $5K as trip bonus; The remaining $31 K to share between the Executives and those who were paid to shut up. People are all motivated by greed thus why are we surprised that a plane was flown from Antigua to Dominica only to make politicians look good.

    I just don’t get it; We had an inaugural flight to mark the beginning of night landing and improved access and now we have to go find out if LIAT is willing to overlook the safety requirements. How much crap can we tolerate. These politicians are playing ring games with not just people’s lives; they prey on the weakness and ignorance of so many D/cans. The sequence of operation just does not make sense. Conventional wisdom teaches that lies and deceit cannot be totally concealed. The worse thing about this fiasco is that the authorities are not very good liars since the lies backfire so quickly.

  19. FAA
    November 5, 2010

    I WANT TO AIRPORT OFFICIALS ,THE CEO OF DASPA TO MAKE AVAILABLE THE DEPARTURE PROCEDURES FOR MELVILLE HALL AIRPORT..

    AND MOST OF ALL COULD MR, BADIOULLE , THE AIRPORT MANAGER MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THE MISS APPROACH PROCEDURES FOR RUNWAY 27 AND 09.

    THE MOUNTAIN AT THE END OF RUNWAY 09 IS ALMOST 5000FT HIGH WITH A STEEP GRADIENT.

  20. Anthony P. Ismael
    November 5, 2010

    OMG!! I’m actually pulling my hair out as I read this article. The circumstances that prohibited night-landing in the first place did not change. So why have the meeting with LIAT? Will the mountains to the East suddenly disappear after the meeting? Certainly not. I get it!! No one in their right mind will loan a tiny Island with 60,000 people $US400 million dollars to build an international airport, in today’s economy.

    What ever happened to the idea of realigning the airport, so that planes would avoid the mountains altogether? I guess that idea too is gone with the wind. While the upgrades to Melville Hall were certainly needed, spending US$110 million dollars on an airport that still cannot accomodate night landing after so much pomp and circumstance, was a complete waste of time and financial resources.

    So what’s the plan for improving air travel to Dominica for the next five years? None acutally. It’s sad but true.

  21. DAMIT
    November 5, 2010

    The funniest thing about the new air port is the new carousel. I luv my country but when I saw the carousel I couldn’t help it. The carousel is about five feet in diameter- no exaggeration. I called it the MiniMI carousel. .I could not believe that someone would procure this for the airport. A total waste of money. I estimate that minimi carousel to be about $ 5000 US. Now I’m not sure if this carousel is still there ; if it is-somebody please take it out. The carousel is one of those that stores use for displaying products and mannequin displays. In addition the baggage handlers throw the luggage through the access port right next to the MINIMI CAROUSEL where people push their way through to pick up their belongings. Note that passengers pick up their luggage next to mini – not on mini. I actually saw one passenger retrieve his luggage right next to the minimi carousel then put it on the MiniMi carousel then smiled . That my people was funny but embarrassing and that took place in 2008 reunion.

    I don’t mean to be condescending ; I’m just showing how bad we are at planning and the effects of having square pegs in round holes. How could someone in their right mind buy MiniMI or was somebody paid a large sum of money only to turn around and present MiniM I.( Just like the garbage Bins?)

  22. Londonican
    November 5, 2010

    @Chief: Chief you maybe right in what you say, but you forgot the main point. These LITTLE ISLANDS can accommodate Boeing type aircraft, so there are no comparison here. I am with no party but supports Dominica my birth land and apparently I looks like these guys (governments) does not see anything when they travel. Take the Cayman island for example. the building is nothing to shout about but their runway is way adequate for the Boeing type aircraft that land there. I applaud the efforts to give Dominica night landing Mr. PM but you made a blunder by not using the land that was already acquired and it’s time you acknowledge that. GOD BLESS THE NATURE ISLE.

  23. Poule Coutouni
    November 5, 2010

    SO ALL THIS HOOOPLA WITH EXCELLENCY NICHOLAS AND ALL THE SCUM BAGS COMING IN ON A CHARTERED LIAT FLIGHT IN SEPTEMBER WAS INDEED A HOAX? OH WHAT A TAMGLED WEBBBB!

  24. PennyWise
    November 5, 2010

    What discussion and meeting after a BIG INAUGURATION? Why meet now to discuss what? What has changed since the BIG INAUGURATION? I mean we are going around in circles here, like a dog chasing its tail. LIAT knows exactly what is right or well WRONG with Melville Hall and why they wil NOT LAND at night. Know meeting will change the facts and the reality of what the airport is ,and currently it is NOT SAFE FOR NIGHT LANDING!!!!!!!! Skerritt think America playing his foolish games, why he not meeting with FAA? I mean on a bright sunny day the airport poses serious security and safety risk, is NIGHT SKERRITT want people to kill themselves. SO he can BEAT his tin chest. Magway sa. I know the outcome of that meeting, he need not waste his time. LIAT WILL NOT BE LANDING ANYTIME SOON AT SKERRITT POLITICAL MILEAGE WASTE OF MONEY POLITICAL GIMMICK MELVILLE HALL AIRPORT

  25. kush
    November 5, 2010

    u all have never travel check the internet ,google the most dangerous airport in the world and u will find st baths and st martin but u all go their and dont even have a clue all u are doing is putting down d/ca

  26. Nov3rd
    November 5, 2010
  27. physicse
    November 5, 2010

    A MEETING WITH THE AIRLINES(LIAT) ONLY NOW?????????????????? WHAT WAS THE SINCE TO HAVE LIAT PERFORM A NIGHT LANDING JUST FOR A SHOW ????
    SO LIAT HAVE NOT YET DECIDE TO UNDERTAKE NIGHT LANDING IN DOMINICA??? I THOUGHT THAT WAS DONE ALREADY?????

  28. FAA
    November 5, 2010

    PLEASE LETS KNOW WHATS THE OUTCOME OF THIS ALL IMPORTANT MEETING….
    WE HARD YEARS TO FINALIZE THE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE AIRLINES, WHY IS THIS MEETING BEING HELD NOW, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ALREADY….

    WHAT AM I HEARING THERE???????

  29. Dagif
    November 5, 2010

    LIAT cannot be blamed for their restricted position in that night landing issue.

    There is definitely a risk with it ; for 2 reasons :

    1- landing has to be performed from the East ( i.e the opposite way ), with the wind coming from behind instead of front ; so with a much higher speed
    2- in case of aborted landing, the plane has to fly towards mountains in full darkness

    I woul’nt take the chance myself ; but I guess LIAT was consulted for that project ; why should they change their mind now ?

  30. Well Look it
    November 5, 2010

    More jokes from the out-going PM.

    The had big celebration saying inaugural flight coming in from Antigua to officially start night landing.

    EVERYBODY was fooled thinking Skerrit was on the plane, next thing the man in VIP Mellville Hall waiting for plane to land.

    Alot of money was spend to do that charade a few weeks ago, now he hoping meeting will go well?

    Is back to front they operating man? Not meeting with Liat first, then official opening nuh?

    Boy look comedy Dominica….

    Them villas, apartments and the 2 million dollar house completed and furnished KAMEM!

    Zor cay sav eh in Dominica…

    Tato tato…on the next level…18-3….good night.

  31. D/CAN TO DE BONE(FOREGIN)
    November 5, 2010

    Where is the money coming from to build the airport ..US 400.000 who in this day and age going to borrow that kind of money? The donner countries are cutting back on aid and cutting back their local bugets to save money. Dominica dont have a population to sustain the airport . Where s the buying population? why should we borrow more to be in debts and cannot pay back. You all wantt the IMF to come in and control the country and imposed tuff measure on us , and we start complaining again?

    Everyone just shouting build a international airport . You all should suggest who will fund it? where is the money coming from?

    Everyone who wants the airport should donate monies in a fund to help bulid the airport.

    Our economy is not at it best , population is small, workforce is small .

  32. Sout Man
    November 4, 2010

    A pilot has a panel of instruments, an adequate runway and an air-traffic controller who is equipped with computers and an advance global positioning system (GPS) with its network of satellites. So what’s the scare about visibility?

    The US military can navigate unmanned predator drones by remote control to spy on and to kill Talibans. Cars are driven in busy US cities by remote control. Welcome to the era of advanced computerization and GPS. So please stop the scare tactic. I am in favour of an international Airport but we can use what we have and lay the groundwork for the jet port. Power House said that land was bought for the IA but he now wants to get paid! This is laughable.

  33. Anonymous
    November 4, 2010

    @marv: Where is Dominica getting the money to build an international airport? How and where is Dominica getting money for the operation of an international airport. Dominica needs to build some state of the art hotels then talk about an international airport.

  34. DOMINICAN
    November 4, 2010

    American Eagle and the FAA would be mad to send thier planes to dominica at nights.Minister Blackmoore you were so foolish as a police officer what u know about aircrafts all of a sudden.I feel sorry for we Dominicans who really support night landing at Melleville Airport.Pure madness.Not even a corpse will agree for a plane to land at nights with them at that airport.

  35. Inteligence
    November 4, 2010

    People of Dominica don’t be fooled by night landing.If any planle has to abort the landing due to problems with the aircraft where are they going to go in the dark mountains and die?Why are we so foolish this airport was never made for expansion.Our country is just like a ship in bad sea without a rudder.We don know where we are going.One day god will put his hand and steer Dominica.None of the Governments did anything good for this country.We nneed prayers.Night landing at melleville Hall is just death and disaster in the making.

  36. Patriot
    November 4, 2010

    Am afraid of landing at Melliville Hall during the day muchless at nights.Mr savrin is a crook he should have told to explore the sight Miss Charles had when the other crook Edison James told the Americans not to come.Melliville Hall just calls for disasters at nights.People stay in Antigua instead of risking your lives at Melliville Hall pure nonesense by the Pm and Mr.Blackmore.

  37. OCKRO
    November 4, 2010

    @power house: You are the one playing political games but any objective person can see through you politcal vermin…!!! Who was the individual responsible for writing to a foreign embassy trying to deny Mamo’s attempts to get an International Airport for DA? Possibly if Edoe had behaved in a more responsible and Patriotic manner we would not be here now debating the issue of International Airport but these guys have shown that they never care about DA.

  38. follower
    November 4, 2010

    That’s where I have a problem with the PM and those who think we cannot afford an international airport. In one breath he is saying that we should have introduduced night landing 25-30yrs ago and then “By now an international airport would not have been a matter of discussionon because we would have had that international airport”. On the other breath he is asking where are we getting the monies from. Is he implying that we were better off 25-30 years ago? If 25-30 yrs ago cost us an international airport today, then why repeat a worse crime by putting us a further 25-30 years behind? Common guys let’s not be so naive in our thinking. 25-30 years ago, most of us did not have a pair of shoes and today we have one that matches each outfit we put on. I am very disapponted with the PM because I did not think a young man like him would be so shallow in his thinking. We all know that it will cost money to build an international airport and as a nation we have to pay for it. But isn’t that the case with any investment we undertake? Don’t we think of the potential of our investment and see the gain in the long run? With an international airport, we would have an increase of over 100% in stayover visitors. That alone would create an avenue of employment for our young people. We would have to build hotels which would cause many of our people to be employed and many of us would become employers. That would automatically increse our population and I could see our farms booming again. As of today, to book a flight from Miami to Dom from to fly Dec.14-Jan 6, will cost $900.00. Using the same Port and dates going to St. Lucia is$450.00; Barbados $447, Antigua $625. St. Kitt $470. Right there we have a disadvantage. Can you all understand the problem? If according to the PM in 2010 we have to experiment with night landing for another 25-30 more yrs. our unborn babies will not even want to be born in DA. When I was growing up as a young man we were not behind of St Lucia & St. Kitts but from the moment they invested in an international airport, all of those islands jumped and kicked us down. Not only that but think of the exposure. In cricket, our national team used to walk over all the windward islands. St. Lucia was no match to us. Today a St. Lucian is the captain of West Indies. What you think brought about this change? Because of their International airport and Stadium they bwere exposed to international cricket and as a result, people like Sammy is benefiting. When we invest we don’t just think of today but many years ahead and although our unborn babies might have to pay for it they will not mind doing so as long as we’ve built avenues for them. So mr. PM please open your thinking and start to think of the future of your children (if you are a father). And you my people put politics behind and let us pressure our politicians to create opportunities for us rather than keeping us poor. An international airport would immediately create employment for ua and would keep our children and great, great, grate grand children employed rather than having our current generation leaving the country in search of daily bread. Please Mr. PM, do not punish the people of Dominica because of you childish vision. The monies you spent on the night landing is costly and will yield nothing. Admit you made a mistake and plan on the way foward which is and only can be an international airport. That will also help pay for your villas

  39. Fed Up
    November 4, 2010

    @power house: It takes allot of gutts to deal with some of you Dominicans. Guidance and protect on the Prime Minister to try and lead a people from the dark ages which they are so accustom to and don’t want to advance. It would be suicide to build any airport at the location where the UWP took the most productive lands in Wesley and Woodfordhill for any international airport. Do you have a clue where you’re talking about.

    Give the P.M. credit for sticking around after such slander to his name. All you find he stay too long since Rosie and Pierro died under the humongous task of moving Dominica forward. Stop trying to kill the man by pressuring him to death.

  40. SANDMAN
    November 4, 2010

    @marv: Yeah smaller islands have international Airport because they have the money to build and keep in operation. Most of these islands have golden sand beaches which most tourist want. We dont even have enough hotels to accommodate the influx of tourist we should build the island more b4 the inti airport. We should build it more marketable with little damage to what we are using to market which is our nature natural beauty. Need more night life in Roseau and Possie.. Roseau needs a face lift too.. we gotta tackle that 1st b4 opening the door wide open. We gotta make sure ppl come in and use the airports and the flights.. If the planes come in empty the government and the island pays for the empty seats! All the ppl over seas looking in. Why dont you guys start some projects back in Dominica? Do some networking and make some investors invest here. How u think St.Lucia going up? You think its all them? it’s investors that come n place shop then market the island to the mass public world wide. We need more investors and to attract them we need to adjust the island a bit. Make it more Unique as it is. We have to be ready to pull in over 100 thousand visitors with the capacity to accommodated about 30 thousand lets say who want to stay for a few months. We need to plan all this ahead. Putting UWP in place of the current government is not going to work you want to know why? UWP are the ones who have us deep in this mud the had the treasury empty by the time Labour came in the picture with Dominica on the famous black list. Anyways this is not going to change any of these people. Have a good one.

  41. better mus come
    November 4, 2010

    mr.prime minister you are a big jocker,night landing is a total waste of time and money,padner you not listening to d/cas i hope its not to late for you..you need to be a man and stop behaveing like a child.your actions are unbecoming as a result ppl are staring to see thru thr true you…

  42. Oh My!
    November 4, 2010

    Deep Breath!! But I thought they met already hence the big inauguration and party by the airport. Alas papa, Dominicans have patience eh.

  43. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 4, 2010

    @power house:

    ” but from the sea and any attempt to abort a landing most likely means the aircraft and all on board are heading to governer estate and certain ”

    True, however, what do you believe will happen on take-off in the event the time came to abort take-off while the Aircraft is taking-off in the direction of the sea.?

    I suppose the result would be the same!

    I do not wish to get into the politics here, but I know for a fact if Night-landing is authorized at Melville Hall Airport, the Airport must be equip with a Radar Guiding system, in addition to some modern day Beacon System, so that in pitch darkness of the night the pilot will use the guiding system on his aircraft to zero in on the instrumentation guiding system at the airport thus landing safely.

    There must be some sort of system that the aircraft in the sky can lock unto, to guide it safely on landing in addition to the lights on the Runway!

    For that matter, every modern day aircraft is equip with automatic pilot, which once programmed can take an aircraft from point A to point B, with very little aid or assistance from a pilot.

    How do I know that?

    I know that for a fact because, as an electronic engineer, I worked on such systems, here in America, and even when those on British Airways need servicing, they had to return them here to the company who manufactured the system, thus the Wesley kid was involve in troubleshooting and resolving the problems of thousands of direction finders, and guiding systems.

    Now if such system does not exist at Melville Hall, all I can say is; I don’t know!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  44. QFM
    November 4, 2010

    WHAT ABOUT THOSE TOLL BOTH AND TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM. THE MECHANISM NEVER WORKED. NOW THEY ARE ALL ROTTEN FROM SEBLAST. ALLAH WHAT IS WRONG WITH US.

  45. wENG wENG 007
    November 4, 2010

    The funniest thing about the air port was the new carousel. I luv my country but when I saw the carousel I couldn’t help it. The carousel is about five feet in diameter- no exaggeration.I could not believe that someone would by this for the airport. A total waste of money. I estimate the minimi carousel to be about $10 US. Now I’m not sure if this carousel is still there but if it is-somebody please take it out. The carousel is one of those that stores use for displaying products. In addition the baggage handlers throw the luggage through the access port right next to the MINIMI CAROUSEL where people push their way through to pick up their belongings. next to mini – not on mini. I actually saw one passenger retrieve his luggage then put it on the MiniMi carousel . That my people was funny but embarrassing and that took place in 2008 reunion.

    I don’t mean to be condescending ; I’m just showing how bad we are at planning and the effects of having square pegs in round holes. How could someone in their right mind buy MiniMI or was somebody paid a large sum of money only to turn around and present MiniMI.( Just like the garbage Bins?)

  46. child
    November 4, 2010

    i can only wish you luck mr.pm,because thats a lot of money we spend there and we do not want all that money to go in vain.

  47. concern
    November 4, 2010

    @lone starr: I just hope that the GOVT would have the common sense to have a night shift and that would create some new jobs but dont expect the same employees who work day shift to work long hours into the evenings that would be insensitive on their part.

  48. shows
    November 4, 2010

    Think Dominicans are like 12 rows back they think way to small and childist and are so silly the make a God out of someone who is a child and smiles to them show you how ignorant and inocent Dominicans are……they settle for less while getting poorer each day their so call choosen man of God the smiling Prime Minister owns 8 Villas right in their faces…

    Dominica lacks class period! they had some persons who made it to the top levels but either they are purchased by this DLP regime or decided Dominica sucks and keep a low level..

    wonder if the world had to depend on Dominica to make a bold move they would endorse slavery and aparthied seeing how small and foolish and lack of demonstrating the powers to corrupted governments

    would never encourage anyone to invest in Dominica as they way small in their thinking and dont uphold standards their Police force is so dam dull its a shame…

  49. Bojangles
    November 4, 2010

    The PM keeps talking about the cost of building an International Airport, if I recall everything was in place for the building of an International Airport towards the end of the UWP administration in 1999-2000. It was this same Labour Government who ccomplained that the UWP was putting the country in debt and convinced the populace that an International Airport was not a viable option.
    If this Administration had any foresight, they would have continued the project, we would have an International Airport and there would be no need to be debating Night Landing 10 years later and Millions of dollars supposedly to UPGRADE MELVILLE HALL to Night Landing status.
    Mr PM, instead of spending your time continuing to BLAME the previous Administration for the current ills that our country is experiencing, tell the Citizens WHAT THE REAL COST OF THIS UPGRADE WAS !!
    I am sure if you told the TRUTH, Dominicans would be surprised to know the figure would not be far from your quote of what it would cost to build an International Airport.
    The sad thing is that we will never know, since TRUTH seems to be a RARE COMMODITY for you and your Administration !!!!

  50. 365 RIVERS
    November 4, 2010

    Mr. P.M I know that your advisors are affraid to oppose you in person, so I will have to go a head and give you this advise.

    “NIGHT LANDING IS A PROCESS AND YOU CAN’T FORCE IT, LIAT IS ALREADY LANDING DURING THE NIGHTS IN MANY ISLANDS SO THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT QUALIFIES AN AIRPORT FOR NIGHT LANDING. YOU CANNOT TALK-THEM INTO THIS OPERATION.”

    BUILD IT AND WHEN IT IS READY THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW.

    YOU COULD TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD P.M IF YOU LISTEN MORE.!!!

  51. Skerrit another lie again
    November 4, 2010

    Alas here we go again, so Dominican you mean to tell me after all that uproar we had in meville hall over night landing Black moore talk like there was no tomorrow for him, Skerrit talk until his mouth make chim, Hunter with his one flag song, Baldwin with his cocomarca talk, and all those that give on Eddie oh not for getting Shermin green did you all heard her that night, so all that was a hoak alas again poor us, i would really like to know if it is offically now that Dominican has night landing why is Skerrit meeting with these officals again oh gadddddddddddddddddd Skerrit step down and leave us alone you tied give us 6 for nine and go claim your villas and trust me people he saying all that to side track us from the villars but it wont happen you must take a jail, jail him jail him jail him, mr to wicked

  52. ZERO
    November 4, 2010

    The most shameful thing about this administration is the lying and lying and lying syndrome that is cutting through the underlying structure of good governance in this coountry..As far as i know the inaugural flight was so ladened with technicalities that Liat had in the cockpit,two of its most experienced pilots,what does that tell us ? Wonder if we would ever hear that from you or any member of your administration.What is the matter with American Eagle?
    WHERE THERE IS NO VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH…This cabinet is an absolutely totally clueless and incompetent group of clowns,or TO SAY IT BETTER A CABINET OF POTS AND PANS,that obviously cannot think,furthermore for leading a nation….BURY YOUR PRIDE AND TELL THE NATION YOU SHOULD HAVE CONTINUED THE WORK TOWARDS HAVING AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHICH WAS ALREADY STARTED BY THE UWP…..

  53. dominican
    November 4, 2010

    @Homeboy: home boy go land night u and the PM

  54. yes i
    November 4, 2010

    @Fete Sal: u deliver the best question so far! IS THERE AN ECONOMIST IN SKERRIT GVT! ??? I WONDER

  55. SJ
    November 4, 2010

    So the fact of the matter is, we built and renovated and implemented instrument landing capabilities with no guarantees the airlines will use it. Now, if the airlines do not come it at night .. what would the millions of dollars spent mean? Would this mean the international landing strip would have made more sense? Now mark the point I used, INTERNATIONAL LANDING STRIP .. that’s all we need. Has anyone been to the international airport in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic? Completely opened facility with no A/C and “trosh” or palm leaves for roofing. The facility is mainly out of wood and concrete.

    Nonetheless, if the airlines do decide to land, it’s a plus in the right direction.

  56. aviation expert?
    November 4, 2010

    Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is optimistic about WHAT? A meeting tomorrow Friday with LIAT officials regarding the airline’s night flights into the island? The meeting will be to seek to finalize the issue of they coming into Dominica, particularly from Antigua and Barbados at night. Is Skerritt the AVIATION EXPERT? LIAT already told Govt. about the problem that is preventing them from starting Commercial Night landing? Was that problem fixed?

    PM Skerritt said that Dominicans should collectively encourage the airline to make night flights. It is the Govt. that has to get the proper mechanisms in place. Dominicans are not the ECCA or FAA to issue the necessary clearance for LIAT to begin?

    I believe if the airline hears us in one single voice encouraging them to come in at night they will be more encouraged to come at night. Does PM Skerritt think first before speaking? The proper instruments and safety measures are the only things that has to encourage LIAT to come in at night. Not Dominicans saying, ” LIAT is time to come and begin your commercial Night Landing.” PM Skerritt is something wrong with you? Are you so disturbed and inept that you just saying any foolishness that comes in your mind?

  57. power house
    November 4, 2010

    Why Mr skeritt never mentioned American eagle? they make daily landing in Dominica but the fact is the airline and the F A A have decided it is unsafe to use that facility at night and while I know nothing about aircrafts except to sit in the cabin I do know that this is unsafe as a plane coming in during the day has the choice of coming in from the sea or the mountain depending on the weather and the wind where as at night they have no choice but from the sea and any attempt to abort a landing most likely means the aircraft and all on board are heading to governer estate and certain death where as the land was bought for an airport and I wish thiis Government would pay me for my land instead of playing politcal games

  58. looking in from the outside
    November 4, 2010

    I do not know why this man, the Prime Minister of Dominica tries his best to take all sorts of short cuts to make himself and his Government look good.
    Has this landing sight met all the requirements for night landing?
    When is he going to get it through his hard-headedness that this is a dangerous area at daytime, much less night time.
    Maybe he should purchase all the land between the airport runway and the Londonderry Estate and expand the airport, if that is where he is bent on having it.
    And he is asking where to get the US$400 million? ha, offer a few more acres to the chines and venezuelans, they will come and build it just like that.

  59. ohh please
    November 4, 2010

    I not beleive nothing u Mr.PM say until i see 100 percent result!

  60. marv
    November 4, 2010

    @PROMISES: @ZERO: I am from Dominica, it would be nice to see that there is an international airport in the country. For many years I have been hearing of an international airport. It would help the country in many ways economicly. Risking peoples lives is not worth it. There are many islands that are much smaller than Dominica, and they do have an international airport. I’m pretty sure that there is some landing place closer to the ocean where an international airport can be built.

  61. i not vex
    November 4, 2010

    Even though the night landing affair is a historic moment, it would be a more historic one, if it was taking place in an international airport grand opening in Dominica, we think this whole shenanigan is a backward step in the labour direction. Melville should be shut down an a new sight for a state of the art airport with a freeway feeding of it would have given the skerrit administration something to boast about. Really there is nothing to smile about, this is no progress yet Sir.

  62. John
    November 4, 2010

    What about the piece of land that was purchase by the UWP govt and presently there are are supporters of the DLP using it to there whim and fancy. The monies they spend at Melville Hall would put us along way if this piece of land had been developed into a new airport SHAME ON YOU ALL.

  63. Homeboy
    November 4, 2010

    “I believe if the airline hears us in one single voice encouraging them to come in at night they will be more encouraged to come at night rather than the division in this country on a very important project,” he said.

    What does Dominicans debating the night landing have to do with them scheduling flights?
    Why should they be encouraged by the Doninican populace to come in for them to consider scheduling flights?
    The facility has been upgraded to a night landing one
    so they should come UNLESS there are other pressing issues!!!!!!!

    Just saying…

  64. Patriot
    November 4, 2010

    I am sorry Mr.Pm. I one who believes that your administration has done a lot of good, all things considering. But for this, you get a big “F”.

    The government showed poor judgement, some might say gross incompetence, by following the suggestions this was the best way to go. And that include persons the likes of Artherton Martin, who campaigned the length and breath of Dominica against the UWP initiated Wesley International Airport project.

    If the Labour Government had not shelved the project when they took over in 2000, the cost would have been no where close to 400 million. And how can this government justify spending over a 100 million dollars to upgrade Melville Hall, when they cannot even get one airline to operate at night. Plus the almost ten years it took them to complete the upgrade.

    But the PM need to let the nation know exactly what are the concerns that the airlines have, that make them reluctant to operate Melville Hall at night.

  65. lone starr
    November 4, 2010

    well the pm is only talking about the things for night landing in dominica but he fail to mention about lengthy hours we have to put in as immigration officers every organisation at the airport is entitled to an overtime and we immigration we arent……it is not fair. wat difference are we immigration from customs? and customs are entitled to an over time. at immigration we work 13 hours a day and i stand to be corrected and the laws of labour states that one must work for 8 hrs a day and from then on comes in overtime i guess the labour laws arent for immigration officers or should i say police officers. so mr. PM wen u talking all ur blah blah blah about night landing and all talk about an overtime scheme for the immigration officers or some form of incentive. cause wen the night landing begans we will be working now for 17hrs per day and by god this is inhumane

  66. Following there masters like poodles
    November 4, 2010

    One day one day canker day …. we will get someting from the 127 mil maybe night flights, one day canker day. I trying to look on the “bright side”

  67. BOSS
    November 4, 2010

    ZERO ure ass the president was on the plane u cant have the pm and the president the sametime. both cant leave the island at the same times

  68. MY BAD
    November 4, 2010

    I am a positive thinker and so what I will say should not be attributed to politics. I applaud the DLP administration for their effort to improve air access to Dominica. All this political rambling about what should have been built is just smoke . The fact is that we are now a little bit closer to achieving night landing in Dominica. Our energy should be spent in rallying support for the success of the endeavor.

    I am not convinced that we are truly ready for night landing. Deservingly so the air lines will not compromise safety and so as a positive thinker I would like the PM to put aside all the political ego and ask for patience. It is better to swallow your pride and show that we are all human and liable to short falls. Skerrit I know that you read DNO and so I say to you- I am not a DLP nor UWP nor DFP I am Dominican. I stand behind your effort to see this through. Just remember safety is paramount and if the night landing does not happen this year it OK. It is better to be safe than sorry.

  69. POSITIVE
    November 4, 2010

    I am by no means a supporter of the DLP; in fact I want them out of office right now for I think that they are corrupt, lost and incapable of managing the country. I think that the PM is a liar and a man full of avarice- avyege then.
    However the PM’s remarks regarding the opposition’s letter or letters to the donor countries really do sound like a familiar story. I am not prepared to claim that the PM is telling a lie because Edison and his idiots have done this in the past. They did that during the Freedom Party administration and they did the same thing a few years ago.

    We must begin to focus on intelligent and non bias discourse. Eugenia Charles had the same complain so we must also let Edison James and his A******** es know that their behavior is down right low . I consider that type of behavior SCUM like. How can we normal thinking people think that these guys /hogs really care about people. Like Skerrit and the DLP they are just all looking for their pocket. Edison James wrote the US embassy in order to stop any US consideration for our international Airport proposals. In fact Edison James never denies writing this letter. Now isn’t that childish, selfish and demonic?

    I call upon people like Lennox and Matt to publically denounce such behavior. We appreciate that you guys have exposed the malfeasance in the DLP administration so show us that you guys are prepared to be neutral. Show us that you truly care about Dominica not just your own personal agendas.

    I am a positive thinker and so what I will say should not be attributed to politics. I applaud the DLP administration for their effort to improve air access to Dominica. All this political rambling about what should have been built is just smoke . The fact is that we are now a little bit closer to achieving night landing in Dominica. Our energy should be spent in rallying support for the success of the endeavor.

    I am not convinced that we are truly ready for night landing. Deservingly so the air lines will not compromise safety and so as a positive thinker I would like the PM to put aside all the political ego and ask for patience. It is better to swallow your pride and show that we are all human and liable to short falls. Skerrit I know that you read DNO and so I say to you- I am not a DLP nor UWP nor DFP I am Dominican. I stand behind your effort to see this through. Just remember safety is paramount and if the night landing does not happen this year it OK. It is better to be safe than sorry.

    .

  70. Fete Sal
    November 4, 2010

    is there any economist in skerrit’s government?

  71. Chief
    November 4, 2010

    Contrary to the many “experts” on this board Melville Hall is not an dangerous airport. Recently the History Channel carried out a survey of all airports in the world and Melville Hall did not even make it to the top as being a dangerous airport. Did you people know that the airports in St. Maarten and Saba are among the most dangerous airport in the world? (Google it and see) Melville Hall airport does not even compare to Lukla Airport in Nepal (the seventh most dangerous airport in the world) which has a mountain on one end and a thousand meter drop at the other end. So Melville Hall has potential.

    Now presently Dominica doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure in place to support an international airport, so the logical step is to expand Melville Hall. I think we should do like St. Lucia. That country had one airport in Castries (Vigie) but as the infrastructure grew, Vigie outgrew itself and it was necessary to construct the Hewanorra International Airport. The expansion of Melville Hall will bring in much needed revenue to Dominica which will in turn lead to infrastructural development. Hence eventually Melville Hall will outgrow itself and we can think of building an international airport.. Or we can have an international airport with half of it boarded up with plywood.

  72. hurting badly
    November 4, 2010

    mr PM i think introducing night landing is a great idea, but i thing it is time for DOMINIC to have an international airport you are there now deliver prove yourself.

  73. Concerned
    November 4, 2010

    We will get the international airport one day though I may be dead by then. Good job PM on making night landing a reality in DA.

  74. Ras B
    November 4, 2010

    eb beh Zero, you nah wrap up though! You gi it to de PM wi!

    Me see you mek investment in D/ca, buy up building, wha happen, you ah go go back they fe run fe office? UWP needs leadership and you done know seh, D/ca needs a viable opposition.

    Tell me sey wha you ah go do? you going back home to run fe office? Sure sounds like it!

  75. Read Before you write
    November 4, 2010

    @RIVERS:

    I think this is part of the road project that has already started and will end there.

  76. Jeff
    November 4, 2010

    AGAIN THE DA PRIME MINISTER IS JUST TRYING TO DISTRACT PEOPLE FROM THE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT ARE PLAGUING HIS GOVERNMENT…THAT IS ALL IT IS…HE KNOWS HE IS NOT GOING TO GET NO WHERE WITH THAT……EVERY ROPE HAS AN END PM..

  77. Concerned
    November 4, 2010

    Ask him to say it in French or Spanish or rather your language because you sure can’t understand English.

  78. well
    November 4, 2010

    Liat has all the records of landings and logistics issues of melville hall…all those reports which are logged into the flight logs etc with regards to melville hall are key…

    Hot sunny day aircraft coming from Barbados to Dominica overflew onward to Antigua because of low cloud cover adjacent over runway 27 and 09….so thats rather HIGH TOXIC risk speaking about night landing at melville hall being a viable options….isnt runway 27 approach coming in from the atlantic side with those trade winds behind it…hmm where are you going to elevate too with a miss approach… this Labour Party Government isnt smart in terms of reading and doing the right things

    that so call guy called Blackmore has he stop speaking talking rubbish about 737s landing from 27 at night this guy is completely MAD…

    Folks have to understand if this Government was God Fearing we would be seeing much better light
    but infact everything they bring to the table fails…..chinise,venezulans cubans here and still Dominicans are in the poorest state of beings for the past 10 years…

    i guess if they really prayed to God things would work….

    hey but he owns the Villas….and still is bold about it however God is a just God and sees…

    wicked bunch of folks ruling us in Dominica….fire burn them Jah

  79. marzhie alone
    November 4, 2010

    BUT WAIT I THOUHGT NIGHT LANDING STARTED??????!!!! I WAS MISTAKEN….SOORRRIIII

  80. marzhie alone
    November 4, 2010

    LEAVE IT SO….MR PM SO WE LIKE IT…HERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE BY THE WAY…AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSISTS OF WHAT…AH…..RUNWAY AND MILES OF VISIBILITY.TOWARDS IT…..THAT SURELY WILL NOT COST 120MIL FOR GADDAKAN…( WHO HAS BEEN ROBING DOMINICA OF ITS SAND AND STONES AND SELLING IT ) TO MOE DOWN…..HE ALREADY OWING US…USE THE LAND ALREADY PURCHASED……AN INTERNATINAOL AIRPORT DOES NOT MEAN….A BIG FANCY BUILDING…LOKK AT ANTIGUA’S FOR EXAMPLE…..AND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DOES NOT MEAN GOVT MENT OFFICALS GETTIN THEIR CUTT…..COME ON STOP PLAYING PLITICS I BET…..NEXT ELECTION….AN AIRPORT IS GOIN TO BE PROMISED…..HAHAHAH…BEL TI STORY …BUT LEAVE IT SO MR PM I LOVE TO BE IN PORVERTY…AND SIPT ON ME PLEASE SPIT ON MEE!!!!

  81. son of the soil
    November 4, 2010

    tooo much money was wasted on the airport and we are still back to square one. u spend 4 hours in a depature lounge that you cant take any liquids into and there is NOTHING FOR PURCHASE IN THERE. what did they realy do to the ariport upgrade it or down grade it to put dominica futher behind, we are behind of last place help us lord . there are too many bright people here for us to be in this state

  82. vibes
    November 4, 2010

    from insider info the proceedural chart was rejected by LIAT’s High Ranking Officals so im not sure if the Prime Minister will be the Capt on those flights…its time the Prime Minister knows he can interfair with avaition experts and airline rules and policies he needs to be guided by their recomendations…same thing they went to FL to see Carnival and nothing came out of it..

    what that says their is a lack of proffessionalism and foresight in regards to the direction totaly with this present Labour Party Regime i think they dont read and get themselves informed and are caught up with childist issues giving hands outs and trying to get away issues of postive governance in the island..

    the approach chart for routine guidance has to be certified by a American Company.
    We know about AA Eagle and the issues with runway 27 and the terrrian etc

    if this Admin was clever and visionary they would have worked alongside prior with the FAA and International agencies who would have guided them the correct way but it was done with a rough neck style no planning etc…look at the wall at the end of the runway thats a issue and a major one when the visibilty and cloud cover is low…

    Dominca and Dominicans need to ask hard questions and have Proffessional thinking and direction if we need to move to any so call next level…

    think this government isnt brilliant in thinking they still are shy and coward of doing the High end projects….

    instead of doing that west coast road a Prime Minister who is smart would have convinced the Chinise that he wants a international airport which would be a long term success in years to come..

    Dominica is a classic exp of what you call small mind thirld world thinkers!

  83. ZERO
    November 4, 2010

    MR PM every government in the world is forward looking except yours..$M120 that was wasted at Melvillehall,could have been a great start..Melvillehall is dangerously dangerous at night,and you must stop trying to fool the people of Dominica..Why were you hiding yourself at the airport whilst the others were on this dangerous test flight? St Vincent has started the construction of their international airport,so we are maybe the only country in the OECS without an international airport..So you want us to say hooray for spinning top in mud?…I won’t !!!! Your govt lacks the foresight and the commitment to move this country forward and this is being accentuated day by day..Whatever is done to Melvillehall my dear PM is considered by me to be a waste of money AND YOUR TACTIC OF BLAME GAME MUST STOP…FACT IS YOU ARE THE PRESENT GOVT…YOU ARE THE ONE TO DELIVER…

  84. PROMISES
    November 4, 2010

    Well all the government have to do is continue to give liat the insentive they gave them to do the first night landing. ((NO LIE CAN LAST FOREVER))

  85. looking
    November 4, 2010

    Safety is the MAJOR ISSUE AT MELVILLE HALL PRESENTLY ITS 218PM here and the visibilty is Zero….thats place isnt viable for night movements period LIAT is smart their are issues about safety and the not going to risk their safety record for a poor vision in a political leader period!

    when labour came in 2000 the land for the airport was already purchased they took 10 years to get a so called risk night landing vibe for melville hall…

    going to melville hall period being safety is high in the air its like your own risk…their maybe good times getting in but their at times when you think of life and death…

    its like parchuting off the elite 82nd airborne off the US Armed Forces…

    thing Melville Hall is suited best for Miltary training in Parchuting period not risking customers life..

    if this Goverment was serious a pending storm watch for your island but you letting the DFC crank a event off….i would advise dominicans that their lifes are more important than pleasing One Man!

  86. The Nature isle
    November 4, 2010

    What is this man saying?

  87. RIVERS
    November 4, 2010

    PLEASE MAKE A TWO LANE VEHICULAR BRIDGE AT THE AIRPORT RIVER CROSSING. IT IS THE FIRST BRIDGE VISITORS SEE WHEN THEY ARRIVE HERE.

    IS THERE MORE MONEY LEFT FORM ALLTHAT RENOVATION WORK??

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available