While admitting that Dominica is “not fortunate enough yet to have direct long haul flights,” tourism minister, Ian Douglas is of the opinion that tremendous strides have been made in terms of air access and travel to the island.
Addressing the 12th Meeting of the OECS Councils of Tourism Ministers on Thursday, Douglas said Dominica has been attempting to solve its air access problem through numerous international airports in neighbouring islands such as Antigua, Barbados, Gaudeloupe, Martinique, St. Maarten and St. Lucia.
“I must address the government’s commitment in addressing the ease of travel into Dominica,” he stated. “We have made tremendous strides in terms of air access and travel to the Nature Isle.”
Douglas pointed to night landing facilities in Dominica as one of the areas that has been addressed.
“Ten years ago landing in Dominica after 5:00 pm was unheard of, in fact in was impossible,” he noted. “Today one can land in Dominica at up to ten o’clock at night.”
However, Douglas pointed out that more needs to be done in terms of travel and access, not only in Dominica, but in the wider OECS region.
“We recognize there is a need for more development in this regard … travel both by sea and air is important to all of us as small island states in the OECS,” he stated. “We need to address all issues compounding travel throughout the region and put the necessary systems in place to facilitate movements of our citizens and also of our visitors … each OECS country must ensure that traveling among our destinations by our citizens is facilitated.”
The tourism minister lamented the fact that OECS states have failed to honour their commitment in terms of regional travel, noting that this results in “a certain level of insularity.”
Meanwhile, Douglas has reiterated Dominica’s commitment to regional airline, LIAT describing it as “an important contributor to improving air access to the island.”
He pointed to government’s decision to invest in the airline saying it was done “in the best interest of our people.”
“It will expect to create more opportunities for more visitors to come to our island, as well as facilitate the movement of our citizens to Dominica,” Douglas said.
The 12th Meeting of the OECS Councils of Tourism Ministers is taking place at the Atlantique View Resort and Spa in Anse de Mai.
Mr. Douglas highlighted the night landing facilities at Melville Hall airport. Out of curiosity I checked how many scheduled LIAT flights actually land there on a regular basis after 6 pm. LIAT’s own published flight schedule as of today 26 April, 2014 only show two:
LI 524 from Barbados, daily at 6.35 pm
LI 509, mon,/wed./fri./sun from St. Maarten at 9.20 pm.
That makes a total of 11 scheduled LIAT flight arrivals every week ( 7 days) arriving after 6 pm.
Does this perhaps demonstrate an innate reluctance by LIAT to fly into Melville Hall after dark or are the traffic volumes simply not there?
I would respectfully suggest to Mr. Douglas that while it is something it does not give us bragging rights.
Serious,..when are we getting these fools out of office
These guys must think we are foolish…such a shame what has happened to our island . These guys MUST go…there is no intellect and rationalization in that government just puppets .
We’ll get there……. one day :/
I live in Ottawa and I can’t get direct flights to Bados; must go to Toronto, then take another plane to Bados, then a plane to D/ca… it’s expensive!!
Hon Minister, I respectfully disagree with you. Investing in the poorly managed and incompetent business that is LIAT is nothing more than throwing good money after bad. LIAT does not need a bail out … they need a nail in their proverbial coffin.
I come home at least once a year (twice if I can afford). I fly into Barbadoes or some other country on other carriers (Jet Blue, US Air, etc) and no issues. Once I get to the LIAT leg of my trip, its completely downhill from there. The only thing that makes me bear it is knowing that at the end of my trip, I will be home. If I was not a Dominican I would not put myself through it. The departure of American Eagle created a void in both access and service. If you want to continue making “stides in air access” look for alternatives to LIAT. Thank you – #LIATsucks
well said guys. left fort Lauderdale airport (FLORIDA, USA) at 7:00 am and arrived in St. Croix at 4:00 pm that day. same airline which had us in transit in Puerto Rico all that time from 9:20 am to 3:30 pm so stop complaining. straight flights are becoming a thing of the past. FYI both were INTERNATIONAL airports
While admitting that Dominica is “not fortunate enough yet to have direct long haul flights,”
Does he mean international airport?
State House or International Airport, which do you think would contribute more to the development of Dominica and its economy? The last time that the people had such a choice, they chose Barabbas instead!
Ian babbling again!!! Please Ian spare us the drama ! What happen, they threaten to kick you to the curb again?
. Doh worry because UWP will build the airport come hell or high water. Enough of all that nonsense.
“I AM FOR CAHNGE; ARE U?”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
“Tremendous strides?” Ian my good friend is either you do not travel much in and out of Dominica or your brain cells really dead!
Mr. Douglas your cabinet talking so much about CCJ and integration. Do you realise that if I I have to spend a day at CCJ in Trinidad it will take me three days and a lot of expense because of poor air connections from Dominica? Do you realise that today I can not even fly direct to St. Lucia. We are not mr. Skerrit you know, who can just charter a plane for his business. We are the ordinary people who pay our taxes so govt. ministers can keep on talking, have a free lunch and live comfortably. Think of that before you speak next time.
I sometimes wonder what century or what planet some of these Dominican politicians live on. It certainly cannot be the 21st century or anything of the sort. Antigua has a monopoly on Dominican passengers who are often stranded there. As a result, there is absolutely no reason at all to ever cater to them or treat them with any dignity or respect, because their options are limited.
Leave Island Any Time operates from the same play book. Hence their modus operandi will never change either. This theory doesn’t make Antigua a bad place or a “Cursed Place.” Their behavior is in line with monopolistic attitudes.
The Dominican leadership must first recognize this and then accept it. Once this is done, they must conduct a robust Cost Benefit Analysis and chart a bold new way forward. Before this is done, someone in leadership needs renewed vision and foresight for the travelers who make the trek to Dominica.
The great Maurice Bishop, former Prime Minister of Grenada took great lengths to ensure that an international airport had to be a corner stone in the island’s future or else it would be stuck in the mud. All didn’t go as planned there, but years later we can definitely see the benefits of Grenada’s International Airport.
Dominica is by far one of the most conservative islands in the Eastern Caribbean. This conservatism has kept us stuck in the dark ages for what seems like forever. I recall the court battle to demolish the stone wall near the Botanical Gardens to extend the road and add a much needed side walk.
Improvements are an appropriate “Term” to use in Ian’s speech. The question is, do we want to simply “Improve” or do we want to be competitive and growth oriented? When I examine the upgrades that are being made in Trinidad, Antigua and Barbados who already have international airports, it highlights just how far behind we are in our methodology in Dominica
Very well analysed Anthony Ismael – insightful observation. Sadly the leadership and visionary thinking that you request or expect from those in charge of charting Dominica’s future is non-existent! The poor calibre of people in the government cannot deliver that which is beyond their capabilities!
Oh Yes! We are attention for We are Concerned.
Are any of you confused, told a tale, deceived, or not able to recall to memory? What is going on here?
Was it not this minister who said and or stood in agreement with the dlp leader that this Nature Island Is In need of an international airport, since all these neighboring Islands were well equipped with international airport or international access?
Therefore what is the cry about now? What is the talk of trying to address easy air accessibility to The Nature Isle? Sir did you forget these other islands have international air and sea access? So sir what problem of ease of travel are you asking them to solve?
Are You trying to ask the government leaders in these islands to solve your travel access problems or issues? Especially when you along with the government you are part of reject and ridicule the ideas, suggestions and contributions of the citizens of the Nature Island who continue to give themselves to Serve Willingly. They read and listen to news, talk to people who are acquainted with what is going on.
Example Mr. Lennox Linton along With The Team spoke of Airplanes for the country to facilitate travel and boats to accommodate travel. What did the dlp government say? Shameful enough not to repeat. Called him name in ridicule, like if you all do not ask for it, or have a say, like there no approval, nor manifestation exist.
So sir what is all this yap or babble about? Why must selfishness have part there? Especially now Growth is much needed and Life Dependent on so much.Take time to be humble or who you serve may do so.
We are Alert, Waiting And Will Welcome, Appreciate and Embrace THE CHANGE COMING. The Invitation is out presented to All Who are Willing to Receive And Stand With Others For CHANGE AND WITH CHANGE?
WHO BUT THE LORD KNOWS WHAT Will Be Done?,When,? How?Why? And More/Others.
Bogoroy, such a name if that is your name, I can tell you it is scary; the things you say and the rhetoric you condone is frightening. Your name reminds me of an monstrous imaginary figure used in threatening children; that imaginary figure is a terrifying, and dreaded person!
The sun seems to be setting over Dominica, leaving the country in darkness for the rest of our life’s politically; yet you seem all bent on reveling in the demise of our nation. I agree that everyone of us has the right to support a party of our choice, however, we need to be careful with the decisions we make pertaining to the people and party we vote for. We must be careful that we do not feel sorry for the politicians, who we anticipate loosing their jobs. We should not allow the name of a political party to be the influence causing us to maintain the status quo by voting Labor or any other political party because of a name when we know they have failed to advanced, and bring some prosperity and progress to the people and country.
The name of a political party should not be the ultimate reason for voting for that party; in Dominica the majority of people vote for the Labor Party, because they claim they have to labor for a living, the truth is that has been the concept in Dominica from the inception of the Labor Party, but the fact is physical labor has nothing to do with the name of a political party; that however, is the mentality of some people!
Politicians are elected to perform work! Their job is to improve conditions in the country, their priority is to influence investments, by both foreign, and local investors. I mean this government is in power for fifteen years plus, can you say that they have done anything significant in order to influence outside investment in the country? I think not.
Yes, the Chines came by invitation; they under took construction work associated with the some parts of the infrastructure, we owe them plenty of money, they have to be paid, the call centers came, however, the few jobs that result from that is mediocre, they are not skilled jobs; and let me say the petty things that the Chines have done in Dominica, such are things that our government should have been in a position to do for the nation from funds from our treasury.
How does a government generates revenue to run a country? Do not be disappointed to learn it is by collecting taxes from the citizens of the country via pay role, property tax, and products imported into the country, departure tax from passengers and residence leaving the country at places such as an International Airport. However if the country lack employment people are not employed, no employment taxes can be extracted from a pay cheque. You are playing some nasty and not so sensible politics, it is your kind who supports the wrong people voting for them over, and over, why Dominica is not moving forward. If I ask you to lone me some money and I told you I will pay you back in five years, and at the end of five years, I return and tell you: sorry, I need another extension for five more years, then I move it up to ten years, fifteen, fifteen years, and in the twentieth year I return to you pleading to borrow more money and ask for an extension of time for me to repay all the debt that I owe to you; I suspect you would have to be a fool even to listen to my plea, never mind lending me a penny more.
Apply that theory to the performance of the present Labor Party, and come to a conclusion, figure out if the sort of remarks you are making in support of this government is actually requisite! Another five year of the status quo will destroy our country. Indeed I like some of of those involve, as I stated even Gloria Dods-Shillingford is my very close relative, my biological mother is her aunt sister to her father, that means her father the late was my uncle, in spite of that I cannot advise my family in Wesley to vote for her ever again, if I do I will be aiding and abating the failure of my country.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
yes Ian – tremendous strides have been made in air access – like the amount of air access the mosquitos have flying all about giving people chikungunya…tremendous strides indeed
People say they want to reach Dominica on the same day they also talk of straight flight where in the world can you go on a straight flight I went to New York i stopped in Antigua then Puerto Rico then Miami from there went to Boston then New York. You guys asking for international airport wait and see the burden that will be place on us don’t even talk about airport taxes and price of tickets Ralph Gonzanles is under pressure right now all wait and see
Where in the world you can go on a straight flight? Depends on where you’re starting from. One can fly from Miami straight to Jamaica, London, Paris, Rome, Toronto to name a few. Yep, having to stop and change planes to get to DA is a drag.
Ian, again?!! Ian, spare us nuh, PLEASE.PLEASE. PLEASE. The less we hear from you is the better for our health.
Tremendous strides = night landing?
How often do planes land at the airport at night? Are there scheduled night landings? Or does it happen every time LIAT Messes up? (Granted thats everyday but…) if thats tremendous …..
the labour party minister is in power to improve their pockets, after so many years in office,are you and your family better off? you would be lying if you answer yes.
I have to agree with Honourable Ian Douglas, Minister for Tourism and Legal Affairs, that Dominica has made great strides in air access. There has been much improvements made at the Melville Airport. It is a fact that there is now a night landing facilities, a longer and wider air strip, a larger tarmac for airplanes, a larger terminal building, a larger parking lot, improved safety and navigational equipment and facilities…
I also agree with the Mr. Douglas that investment in LIAT was useful and strategic and to agree with him that Dominica unlike the other independent island states of the OECS is not yet fortunate to have international air access.
My concern however is that despite these air access improvements and despite the investments in LIAT, there is still no improvement in airlift capacity. There are still concerns regarding same day access, as many people still have to overnight depending on the arrival time of long haul flights at our Caribbean hubs. There are concerns regarding affluent travellers with their private jets who cannot land here because the air strip at Melville Airport is not designed to accommodate safe landing of these planes.
My hope is that the Government take a policy position to continue the air access improvements which will lead to the development of an airport capable of accommodating long haul flights from North America and Europe in particular… the site at Woodford Hill previously selected by the former UWP Government is probably the most suitable site that would provide 10,000 feet of run way.
Can u name any other OECS state withought an international air port ? In this day and age u talking about night landing as improvement ,,,, other OECS islands have that since in the 1980’s ,,, we should be talking about international flights and landing,we in 2014 ,poor backward thinking Dominica,,,,
There is a difference between air access and air lift. Air access was improved but airlift has not improved; the Melville Airport (air access) has been improved but airlift capacity ( the number of flights and passengers) has not improved
Bill if you looking for a Post to run d Hotel in Cabrits Juss ask nuh,,,
After-all man Bill you sounding like you singing for someting wi,,,
I think you suggested that before… ok when u r aware of a vacancy send me the information…lol, I will apply and let the employer know it was you who referred me to them
Make up your mind and stop contradicting yourself! Like most of us who travel in and out of Dominica you know very well that there has been no improvements in air access in and out of Dominica! All the investments in LIAT and renovations to Melville Hall including night landing facility have resulted in no improvements in air access in and out of Dominica!
What about my comment that was contradictory? Please read my comments again… critical thinking is a hell of a thing to understand yes…
My friend there is a difference between air lift and air access. Improvements in air access does not automatically mean improvements in airlift.
OK my friend… did you mean that despite the improvements in air access, there is still no improvements in airlift/ increase in air lines flying with passengers to Dominica
get your brain off your butt
Well well well… let’s just LOL on this one…
Tremendous strides in airport upgrading would be the accurate term.
That is also referred to as air access improvement my friend. With improvement to air access, there is likely improvement to airlift
My friends I am not singing for my supper. I simply commented objectively and if you read my comments carefully you will note the following:
1. We all know that the Melville Hall airport has been improved
2. We all know that the Government invested 8 plus million dollars in LIAT
3. We all know that despite these investments, airlift capacity into Dominica has not improved
4. We all know that the current DLP Government and the opposition UWP, when they are elected to Government, both have programs to improve air access into Dominica
5. We all know that the Woodford Hill/ Wesley site selected by the UWP, when they were in Government between 1995 and 2000, is the most suitable site for the construction of an airport that will give the country a 10,000 feet run way
6. We all know that Dominica is the only independent OECS country without an international airport.
I believe that people must be objective rather than being emotional when submitting comments. I do not believe that either pro Government or pro Opposition supporters will appreciate my comments unless they read it with an open and objective mind… I am not a member of any Political Party so those who do not like my style of commentary… I make absolutely no apologies for what you all think…LOL!!!
I believe my friend is singing for his supper.
Yea right…Bla Bla Bla. LABOUR MUST GO !
While admitting that Dominica is “not fortunate enough yet to have direct long haul flights,” tourism minister, Ian Douglas…
OMG! Were these the words of a Tourism Minister, let alone lawyer? How do I feel as a Dominican to read this on DNO?
“Dominica is not fortunate yet…” FORTUNATE? What does being fortunate have to do with a country having or not having direct long haul flights? I hope St Vincent was not represented at this OECS Councils of Tourism Ministers, to hear this nonsense; because I am quite sure they would tell you that it has nothing to do with being fortunate but everything to do with whether one has vision or not. Most times a person might not be married because they were not fortunate /lucky enough to get a spouse. In other words, it’s not something they had control over. But an airport has to do with VISION, INSIGHT and FORESISHT, which unfortunately, is missing in this current administration. No wonder with their own mouth, they told the nation that the idea of eradicating pit latrine was the best thing that was ever said in the last decade. I will bet you if UWP was elected in 2000, we would not be depending on “Mr Fortunate” to build us an airport.
Well said !!
Actually, Dominica is today far better off for not returning the UWPwee to office in 2000. That defeat, which has permanently scarred the UWPwee, saved Dominica from an immensely bad “vision.”
So, while you get excited over one sentence uttered by the minister, keep in mind that you owe this DLP administration for having had the vision to rescue Dominica from the clutches of the UWPwee.
You don’t make sence, SHUT UP !
That is all you can do, keeping on peeping. You can’t open your eyes to see what is happening. Just nothing but bias and maybe a red clinic beggar.
The difference between St Vincent and Dominica is that St Vincent’s population is almost twice that of Dominica’s. If you think that this does not make a difference you are sadly mistaken. Our government’s approach to the building of the International airport makes a lot of sense.
The difference between Dominica and St. Vincent is that Dominica was out brained by St Vincent. It was the PM of St Vincent that was invited to Dominica by the DLP to tell Dominicans that we could not afford an international airport and secretly went to build one in St. Vincent financed by the same Taiwanese government that was going to help us build one. If you are saying is population then what about St. Kitts that has a smaller population than us and has an international airport?
so how do you explain Antigua whose population is the same as ours and St. Kitts whose population is less than ours? i will await your response
Ask Minister Douglas what about the new airline that was supposed to begin direct flights from Florida to Dominica in January.
Ask the DASPA CEO whether that airline is still in negotiations with him and/or Govt. When will they start operations, nuh? Date change or airline not in existence? Whose fools are Dominicans?
Dominicans have dismissed your falsehood. You all have failed the tourism Industry and brought it to its knees, Hoteliers, taxi operators, vendors bawling.
How Long with so much incompetence and mismanagement? Not Long.
WHy don’t you simply send an email to the airline owners? Do you think it more sensible to pt these questions to persons who neither own nor have shares in the airline? If you are genuinely interested in honest responses, which i doubt highly, send an email to the airline people. Or, why not ask you usual sources of (mis)information to do the research for you?
All i can say i would love to come home more often but its so stressful getting to Dominica,I could never get to Dominica on the same day,Am always over nighting somewhere.Still love my Dominica but guys do something better.
jojo how did you leave Dominica to get to where you are? Just wondering?
How do you call the birds that dive into the sea to catch the fish? Did one of these birds carry you off to wherever you are?
What a ridiculous response “Doubting Thomas”! Its this line of thinking that keeps us from working toward solving such a critical problem. Are you suggesting JoJo’s concern isn’t real and isn’t faced by darn near every/any one thinking of traveling to Dominica? When a national of the country has to think of the hassle of going home, how much more a non-national/tourist? Lets not pretend an international airport isn’t a priority for our economy. Lets focus instead of how we are gonna get there!
@A Doubting Thomas this is a NEW ERA, it is NOT how you left but how are you getting back.
Doubting, HOW DID YOU LEAVE DOMINICA? After living out of Dominica for so many years, how do you feel when you want to go back and you have to either spend the night anywhere but home, or go Island hopping to get home?
Doubting, “How do you call the birds that dive into the sea to catch the fish?” “Did one of these birds carry you off to wherever you are?”
STAGNANT MINDS. DOUBTING, I THOUGHT YOU WANTED THE SAME IMPROVEMENTS AS EVERY OTHER DOMINICAN.
Ah yes, a very appropriate reaction to jojo’s idiocy.
igoramus
What a stupid comment. This is your level of ignorance
To Well: It took me three hours one way to go to work every day and as many buses for more years than I can say. Why would I complain for having to change planes to go to Dominica? I actually look forward to it, because I am coming home.
Granted it is a bit of an inconvenience. But changing buses and trains daily year after year for more than half of my life and I and millions of people are doing that commute daily.
New Era my foot. You believe Dominicans are the only ones who fly in transit? Just look at the screens in any international airport you are in and see the delays and cancelled flights.
You are complaining as if it is something you do daily; Dominicans want things handed to them on a silver platter and when we go overseas, we jolly well do what everyone else does.
We even send pictures home on a double decker bus or in front of a building in the snow and say we’ve arrived.
Those of us who live overseas and who do the daily commute whether it be in our own vehicle stressed out bumper to bumper for hours or on public transport and come on this board and complain about Dominica not having an international airport, I do not know how to call us or make of us. I even read somewhere on this site, that someone said they would not go to Dominica because we do not having an international airport, can you believe that? Not having an international airport prevents them from going to Dominica; what a lot of crap. And who are we kidding? No one else but ourselves.
Well I have been fortunate for the last ten years never had to overnight once.
It’s been a while since my last comment on Dominica news online. I am hoping my contribution here today will help inspire my readers and to show that change, yet hard to accept at times, is a necessary step if one is to grow. The world around us is evolving at a very rapid pace and for Dominica to keep up we must be willing to accept change.
If you are reading this article you have already accepted change. The computer or mobile phone that you are reading this article from is a far improvement from the pen and paper – wouldn’t you agree!
My main point today revolves around the idea of building an international airport in Dominica. This would represent a significant milestone change for Dominica. The first thought that may come to mind when you hear the idea of an international airport is the ‘cost ‘involved to make such a feat possible, but to everything in life there is some sort of cost or sacrifice which is necessary if anything great is to be achieved.
I outline a few benefits below – I am sure you will come up with yours and I would be most interested to hear your thoughts. Since cost is an issue for some, my reasoning is purely based on the Dominican economy and opportunity to bring more business to our country:
1. Most business men and woman from the fortune five companies travel at night and most of them have their own jets and those that do not cannot afford to waste time overnight in transit – every second wasted could mean millions of dollars in loss for those individuals/companies.
2. This brings me to my second point – less investment opportunities – as mentioned before the world we are live in is a fast paced one; people want to be in one country this hour and fly to another country the next.
3. Flights to Dominica from anywhere in the world usually sets you back at minimum two fares. Passengers are unable to fly directly to Dominica they usually fly into a neighbouring island, which only serves to benefit that neighbouring island as during transit you are most likely to spend money in the airport.
4. Dominica is also missing the opportunity from stay over transit passengers. Since there is no transit passengers from international flights people that would be introduced to Dominica in that respect are none existent, see point 3 above.
5. LIAT (aka leave island at anytime) is scary as it is already – why do we have to be subjected to a flight where you feel it is your last all the time.
Thanks for reading hope this article helps and incites a positive debate on the points raised above.
WE NEED AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Go buy one at Savalot!
I concur fully!!
All who are so convinced that an international airport is the panacea for Dominica, cough up the money to have it built AND maintained (including paying the top carriers to land in Dominica).
Thanks for your reply but maybe you could tell us why you disagree with my article.
“‘cost ‘involved to make such a feat possible, but to everything in life there is some sort of cost or sacrifice which is necessary if anything great is to be achieved. ”
I love your thoughts, yours is well written piece, that part where you mentioned cost they have used that to justify they backward way of thinking, and their supporters bought it line hook and sinker. Some people are so ignorant, I read where someone said “the IMF advised them not to build an international airport.”
Why would the IMF give such an advise, and even if they did the IMF is noted to have given very bad advise to nations which resulted in a failed state, I write to long a comments so I will not elaborate on that at this time, but Ralph Gonzales had them pegged, he made a fool out them, later this year St. Vincent International Airport will be in full operation, Ian Douglas and his Labor Party will be privileged to utilize it services in bring plenty of tourist to our country!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
How is it benefiting some of our neighboring islands now since most of them seem to be in some economic crisis?
When you invest in a businees you should have a say on how it is run. Where is the caveat when we invested in liat
…didn’t you mean caviar? Ha, ha, ha….
I hear every day Dominica doesn’t need an international airport or can’t afford it. But little islands like st Kitt, Anguilla have international airports Raph Gonzales told us we can’t afford it but his own is almost complete. I need someone to tell me how hurtful it is to have an international airport in Dominica
Maybe their members of parliament work together. That their members of parliament do not try to put division in their country. Maybe our opposition could work as if they care not only about themselves and be power hungry but about our island’s development?
Didn’t The UWP tell the Americans to stay out of our business when the Americans were going to help us build an airport.
They got in government and they did not get us an International Airport.
Now they want us to vote for them and they say they will get us an airport.
We can only go by what we know. We know the UWP has interfered in a very bad way of us not having an international airport and they have to leave with that just like the rest of us.
Now, If Dominica has to have an international airport, a DLP Skeritt lead Government is our best hope for getting one. Right now, I come to down at 10:00PM and do not have to overnight. And I love with the government has done with the Melville Hall Airport expansion. It is our international airport and we love it. It is beautiful.
Anyone complaining about overnighting except in very rare circumstances, have not been to Dominica for some time now. In the past several years I have not had to overnight once, and I travel to Dominica at least two times each year.
Would I want a direct flight of course I would, it would be cheaper. Would having to change planes prevent me from coming to Dominica? it has never been a problem for me.
People use that as an excuse; and these people I am sure, still would not come to Dominica if there were direct flights.
@Grandma, I agree. :Ralph Gonzalves told us we can’t afford it” because if we had one (an International Airport) we would NOT have to pass through St. Vincent. TO EACH HIS OWN, Grandma. Intelligent people make INTELLIGENT DECISIONS.
Indeed, your ignorance is palpable. You truly have no clue of what is involved. In this case, why even speak about Dominica having one built if you are so clueless? Try avoiding the topic.
Lets take a close look at the facts 1 night landing has not been a success. 2 Dominica is the last and only country in the oecs without an international airport. 3 no concrete plans to even build one. This goverment has done good work we must give credit where it is due,i am a firm believer in that. 4 come carnival time and creole festival or even jazz creole air access becomes a problem ,not being able to cope with the volume of passengers.uwp has always said they would build an international airport labour has had the chance and not delivered.Thats all i have to say.make up your mind from that.
1. Success? Planes land at night on a daily basis
2. True
3. Not true. It is in the DLP manifesto. Late last year a team was on island conducting a feasibility study for the construction of the airport.
4. Not quite true. Most of the times I have traveled during the festival season we hardly have a completely full flight.
1.5 out of four.
You should get LIAT to improve it’s service then you will see improvements. I was there for carnival last month with no luggage for my wife , kid & myself for 3 days. On my return i got back to Toronto Thursday our luggage finally showed up Sunday busted up and looted. I bet you this took place in Antigua because when we go through Barbados its not so bad.
The minister of tourism did not even use the moment to mention the supposed loan taken to build an airport. Now I wonder why Ian did not care to mention that. Is it because it s all lies and illusion – election gimmick? Is it that because Ian is totally out of the loop.
In a function such as this our minister of tourism should not informing the audience that we are still looking for ways to piggy back off airports in the region for air access to Dominica when his government said that plans are on the way for an international airport.
This blatant disconnect is just a story line in this chaotic Labor Party administration .
You are right on all counts:
yes, it was a lie and an election gimmick as usual
yes, Douglas is totally out of the loop. Why would the ‘dictator’ care to keep his ‘Ministers on paper only’ informed?
Great catch Mamizo! To say night landing is a ‘Tremendous’ success for air access and not follow up by mentioning steps taken to the actual solution speaks volumes. What a joke he must seem to his OECS counterparts!
YUP, Ian is totally out of the loop. His cousin/nephew is running up against him and his LACK OF REPRESENTATION.
Mr Douglas is air access the only thing you could talk about as it relates to tourism?? What about the reason the tourist should come to Dominica, what we are offering that is different…….in other words our tourism product. I hope that was just part of your address and not the full speech……eh! Because if it was, well shame shame on you sir.
What makes you think that is all Hon Douglas spoke about?
If you know anything about Dominican reporters, you should know that they break up one speech/presentation into several parts and get many stories out of it. But then again, what do you care? You are doing the same thing………. taking one story and geting many negative sides to it. Are YOU a reporter?
Could you read what I wrote again then you can make another comment. No am not a reporter am a Dominican…….can I ask you , where are reporters from? An if my memory serves me right every time Mr. Douglas speaks about tourism, AIR access is the main focus. Anonymous I do care because all now I could do with at least a 25% increase on my salary but because of the way things are I would be lucky to even get an AIR access dollar.
I think that “air access” was the only thing Ian could talk about relative to tourism. I do not think Ian is capable of talking about anything else.
I think that when “AIR ACCESS” arrives IAN WILL NOT BE HOLDING THIS POSITION. Whoever is in this position WILL address the reasons tourists should come to Dominica.
Ah DNO, I am listening to DBS news, could you confirm to truth; though that part is indeed very important to us; it was only part of what the Honourable Douglas spoke about.
Can you imagine if a 757 test landed in Melville hall airport…
after September of this year, guess which will be the ONLY independent Caribbean island without an international airport. the ONLY one. just guess.
ALl you can conceive is “international airport”? This is teh best you can come up with? You think this is the care all, the magic bullet, boss? Think outside the box. In fact, as i see it, being the only island without an international airport is in itself a sellling point for Dominica.
@Bogoroy, how did you figure?
Bird island
I know for a fact it will be our great country the Nature Island of the World Dominica oui!
Let us give all the glory to Ralph Gonzales who influenced this present government not to build but rather shout down what was already under construction.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
You know the Antiguan’s have a little pet name for us, I tell you what it is: have you ever heard the term “Foley Dominican.”
In modern English translation, they mean “Stupid Dominican; and our government has lived up to that reputation!
I can imagine how loud Ralph Gonzales is laughing at the clowns we have in our government. How can our ministers of government sit and hold a conversation with someone who have betrayed our country for his own personal benefits, if out people needed a cause to vote this government out of power, this is definitely it!
I entertain no guilt for making that statement, Dominicans should demand that Ralph Gonzales never set his foot in ever again; and the Labor Party should now realize how dumb and stupid they are for taking such stupid advise, and use it against themselves. We are all in the same boat paddling backwards up a raging river. I know that there are some people who wish I would shut up, and not say anything, but that is not going to happen.
For if I do I will only be condoning the stupidity of people such as Ian Douglas, and the rest of the regime; their mess, and stupidity has backfired on them.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
We travelled to Dominica in Dec/13 from Toronto in 1 day, landing at Antigua on to D/M. Going home in April/14, going from D/M to San Juan , then to Toronto in 1 day, using Liat we had no problems whatsoever, everything went well, even our luggage. We have travelled to D/M for 20 yrs. and have had only 1 problem.
Congratulations!
And is that the same for everybody what’s ure point?
When will we be ready to improve their lives of our pple across the board? When will we be in a position to travel without all the hassles in the other little islands? When oh When? I am patiently waiting for that day. I will keep working hard and maybe one day I will be able to donate some of my hard earned money to help build us our own world class ‘international airport!’ #Aiminghigh
When will God stop sending bad weather? Have we ever seen places with international airports and people sleeping on the floors at the international airports for days?
Some of us complain that we have to change planes to come to Dominica. Do we complain when we have to go to one airport say in the United States or Canada and still have to take another flight before we reach our destination? That happen to some of us you know because there are no direct flights.
When will ever learn to say thanks and appreciate what we have and stop cursing what we don’t have?
Thank you God for allowing our Government to get the funding for this excellent expansion of the Melville Airport. Whenever I go to the Melville Airport, whether leaving or arriving I am so excited to realize that I am in Dominica. That is a very good airport.
People who live in Dominica should just go and take a look at that airport even if you are not traveling. Just be a tourist in your own country and enjoy want you have.
Thank you God for the new larger Aircrafts from LIAT. I was excited to seat so comfortable on my flight. Actually that ride was by far much more comfortable than my connecting flight.
For these and much more I give Thanks.
DNO do you or could you have an option to edit our own posts after we’ve posted? That would help the integrity of the site. I meant “Melville Hall Airport” in my original post for those unaware of our airport correct name.
“Tremendous strides”? is he talking about the Dominican republic that has about 6 international airports or Dominica where dust croppers land?.
joke you making man
I am amazed at the calibre of individuals that are souppose to be providing leadership to the island, I mean come on you cannot be that stupid. Mr. minister here is why relying on the other islands direct flights will not work in our favour:
– The price of the ticket from these points to dominica are rediculouse, sometimes averaging up to US$500. how can dominica compete with that. you will always continue to spin top in mud and get nowhere whilst other regions and countries rushes by.
There needs to be thinkers to solve the continued decline that Dominica is in, this tail spin needs to stop we need to rise up
Personally I am amazed at the calibre of comments that turn up on this site.
1. don’t you rely on farmers to produce food for you? Why don’t you go plant it all yourself.With this attitude Dominica will spend millions trying to acommodate long haul traffic instead paying something more manageable to another island while we use those dollars more productively.
2.Getting from Guadeloupe to Dominica is just about $300EC return .. how is that ridiculous? Would you rather pay $000’s more in taxes/and or air fares … because one way or the other you WILL pay for it.
Yes there nees to be thinkers to deal with this issue … but not those who think that they can solve it after 2 seconds of thinking. People never seem to lay out the Mathematics of this issue ..and if they did they would see that the luxury of long haul flights into Dominica is one that could EASILY cripple the country financially.. but that there are basically fraudulent politicians out there willing to dangle that carrot in front of us knowing both of its implausibility and seductiveness. all I can say is ..Thank God Ian D. isn’t one of them
Nicely said. Unfortunately, DNO blog is not the place for serious talk/argument. So, i suspect that all that sense you just cooked up there is gonna be lost in the wind.
You are just another ignorant, uneducated Labor Party brain washed puppet talk crap, the hell long haul you and Ian talking about; both of you need to shut up; nobody want to read such nonsense!
Francisco E. Telemaque
Wait…Calibishie Warrior…are you actually suggesting that Dominica does NOT need an international airport? “the luxury of a long haul could easily cripple the country financially”? my friend, an int’l airport is not about luxury it IS about infrastructure that supports all industries from health to agriculture and tourism. Take a look around the region, and witness the development that comes with the ease of transporting goods and people. Come on…if Skerritt changed his mind tomorrow and decided to build this airport, would it make sense then?!
Chief honestly as a young person, stop trying to preach hopeless. AS A YOUNG AM I DON’T WANT THIS FUTURE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. Build the international airport and done, there is a better life than what you all are trying to keep Dominica in.
Well said; Amen.
Mr. Douglas speech would be okay without the mention of LIAT. The mention of LIAT defeated your point. Or was that intentional?
Mr. Douglas either suffers from amnesia or is liberal with the truth. Whereas we do have night-landing facilities at N Melville Hall, mr. Douglas is very much aware that such landings can only take place with an approach over the sea with a tailwind, which should not exceed 10 kts./hr . mr. Desmond Brown of Liat told him so on 28 Feb. 2012. On 9 Jan.2013 the same Mr. Brown was reported on DNO as apologising for cancelled flights, attempting to land after darkness because of these same tailwind restrictions (at that time listed as 15/kts.).
Furthermore, the night landing capability has not necessarily resulted in more flight connections as very often it is used to accept LIAT flight that are delayed and would otherwise keep passengers stranded at other airports, more often than not at the expense of the airline.
Yes, we should welcome night landing but for Mr. Douglas to wax lyrical is somewhat embarrassing.
Bad weather any where will cause flights to be delayed or cancelled. My life is in the hands of the Pilots; so I hope they never risk my life and the other passengers including the crew to fly a plane in bad weather.
I thank LIAT for their professionalism.
A 10 -orm15 kt. tailwind does not fall into the category of “bad weather”. The fact is that Melville Hall,even with its night-landing capability, has severe restrictions. I’m afraid that a of of money was spent for relatively little gain. The topography of Dominica has always been a hindrance, some might say a safeguard, to the commercial exploitation of the island. I guess we just have to live with it.
“While admitting that Dominica is “not fortunate enough yet to have direct long haul flights,” tourism minister, Ian Douglas is of the opinion that tremendous strides have been made in terms of air access and travel to the island.”(Ian Douglas).
Ian Douglas, I always thought that you are one of the most ignorant Dominican to have walked the face of the earth, the words you speak are that of a very foolish man. They say the more educated we are it is the more ignorant, and stupid some of us can be; you have proved that theory, just a little too often now!
What do you mean by ” Dominica is not fortunate enough yet to have direct long haul flights?” First of all Ian learn to speak, the flights we are contemplating are called, and known to be “International Flights.” You cannot have International Flights in and out of Dominica if there are no International Airports on the island; and let me remind you that because of the stupidity of the rest of the members of the Labor Party that cause Dominica to be without an International Airport at this present moment.
Let me rub this in your face: Do you remember you stated the International Airport the UWP had actually under construction was too expensive, it cost too much; and what Dominica needed was a soft loan to build the International Airport; and you compounded your argument by saying the soft loan should be interest free? How come since you and the rest took over the reins of Government you and your colleagues have failed to secure the soft loans you and the late Rosie Douglas, Athie Martin, the late Pierre Charles, and others claimed was out there to get and failed to build the International Airport you people claimed you could build for a fraction of what Edison James proposed spending to build the one the UWP was building?
Are you out of your mind? What sort of “strides” Dominica has made in air access to Dominica? What planet are you existing on? Could it be that the Brainwashing of that Gonzales boy of St. Vincent have your mind confused; and you fail to acknowledge that the more than three hundred million dollars the Labor Party spent installing landing lights and the refurbishing of the terminal at Melville Airport following Gonzales advised could have built a new International Airport somewhere in Dominica; to be precise on the location in Wesley.
Ian Douglas, you need to shut up, some of us Dominicans are not shallow as you are, we do have a long memory, and it was less than twenty years ago the events took place, I personally have not forgotten, so the crap you speak will only impress children who are less than twenty years old. Fact: St. Vincent has an International Airport, Dominica has none; stop talking fart; let us thank you and your colleagues for allowing Gonzales to a fool out of you all in power, and the majority of your supporters who claimed “we doh want it.”
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Dods we all know that you are a bright man. Take it easy on Ian. The man is already Skerrit’s Pappy Show. But Dods wasn’t land already acquired at a place called Crompton Point for the construction of an international airport?
I fully agree with you that we have NO STRIDES, when it comes to air access.
If memory serves me correctly, I remember there are three sites where it is suggested an International Airport can be built on the island.
Nevertheless, the most suitable is the one where the UWP was utilizing for the purpose in the back of Wesley. I was told too that where the Melville Hall Airport is presently located could also serve the purpose, all they would have to do was extend to the West. That however, would mean they would have to take it all the way to Governor, and that would mean the land of the late Frobell Laville would have to be utilized.
A very long time ago that was also considered, people rise hell because land of a man from Wesley, I do not remember his first name, his surname was Lawrence, father of Sidney, some may remember, they objected, hence the idea was abandoned.
Keep in mind although we now know the dangers of landing from the West to East in daylight, worst at night; when the Americans, and the allies in the 1940’s chose that precise Melville Hall area to build an airport because they considered Dominica to be in a strategic position to lunch from to seek out and destroy the German U-boats they believe that Melville was the best place to build it; there are also an area in the South that was considered in recent years.
In any event the most suitable place to have it built is the one where the Trinidians was building it: There is an advantage of an extra seven miles on approach before touch down, and also seven miles on take off that is why it very essential that the place the UWP selected must be where it is constructed.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I was in Dominica 2012 and I slept in the Puerto Rico Airport on my way home.
My wife was in Dominica this past Christmas and had to sleep in a Hotel in PuertoRico – so am not sure what Ian talking about!!!
Has the minister checked the price of air travel to and from Dominica lately? Not to mention the number of hours to travel with overnights in San Juan or multiple stops just to get to NY? The cost is prohibitive and making connections is not easy. There is definitely nothing to boast about regarding air travel. It’s really quite pathetic.
It fluctuates. Last year I got a round trip flight for under $500 and did not have to overnight anywhere. this year i’m paying $600. No schedule overnight.
mem bagay mem cochonie mwen lass eve ca
SMH AND LOL. Love your language
This is the most ridiculous speech I have ever heard from a government minister of tourism to a regional gathering. From a personally standpoint, I have landed at Melville Hall Airport right at midnight and in at least one case, after midnight closer to after 1:00AM. This did not occurred once but at two separate occasions and it was not because of “night landing” it was because of LIAT continued failure and incompetence added with their constant lack of customer service. Perhaps, we should recommend to LIAT that they hire Parry Bellot to take a look at their productivity and customer service.
Hon. Minister of Tourism let me place into the record that I did land at my connecting airport at 12:30PM from an International flight. My connecting flight with LIAT was at 5:00PM that same day and I did not leave that Caribbean Island until almost midnight and LIAT officials showed absolutely zero respect or acknowledgment to the many Dominican passengers that were stranded at that airport (not even a glass of water) were offered. I am at a lack of words to comprehend what progress the Hon. Minister is eluding too in his speech. Come on do better Ian – you should have use that opportunity to open up the issues facing us in Dominica with air access and not make excesses that can’t be backed with accurate data. We need and demand better Hon. Minister for Tourism raise the level and cease accepting just the same old status quo.
God Bless Dominica.
Ian sings for his supper so excuse him,Antigua should not be mention is your speech,antigua is the worst place on earth for travelers,unless we dont stop transiting in antigua,air travel to dominica will remain a complete disaster.Antigua is cursed will never like that island and its people.
“Antigua is cursed will never like that island and its people.”
Now I believe you have a personal grudge or some vendetta against the people and island of Antigua, I do not, and never will agree with you that Antigua is cursed, I would like to suggest that there seems to be a curse lurking over Dominica.
You need to appreciate that Antigua is far more developed than Dominica, and indeed has given more comfort to thousands of Dominicans; and be sure Antigua has given more economic comfort to Dominicans residing there than they could have accomplished in Dominica.
There are more than fifteen thousand Dominicans residing in Antigua, if Antigua was that cursed the economy of Antigua would not be in a better position than Dominica, and mind you there are no banana or agricultural plantation in Antigua, nevertheless the people of Antigua seems more prosperous than our people.
I take offense to your comments in regards to the curse, and your dislike for Antiguan’s. You see all of my children a born Antiguan’s, I was Married to an Antiguan, and to be honest with you, I find no difference in an Antiguan in comparisons to a Dominican, it all abut people; and you had better learn we are all the same!
For your information, Antigua’s prosperity derives from its International Airport’ I can detail, and prove that to any Dominica so called minister of government that will listen! I started life in Antigua a fourteen year old kid, and I have no regrets!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Amen
i rebuke that in the name of christ …….Antigua curse and der plenty Dominican dying and doe want to come back Da ??????????? there most of dem carriers begins ……..i have my ppl in Antigua and if some off allu stand up like Antiguans and put allu hand where allu word are Dominica would be a better place .. allu mouth that curse
This is really laughable. I left Dominica 44 years ago and every time we had to travel in and out of Dominica we got stuck in Antigua. 44 years later the only choice is either Liat or Seaborne. What tremendous strides have you made?
Ah yes, you have been away so long that you have missed the new developments in the last year. Do a little search on DNO, or Google, and you will learn more about these “strides.” Better yet, lay off the propaganda machine that you love so dearly.
I’m not really sure what your point is. Whatever developments you may have had in the last year doesn’t really affect my life in any way shape of form……..besides me wanting to visit Dominica and circulate some of my US dollars in the economy. But, I cannot do that because today, in the year 2004, it would take me 2 days to bet there. Is that the “strides” that you’re referring to “Peeping Tom?”
Ian, here is a much easier way to find out how much strides we have made in air access. Simply ask TAXI DRIVERS if they and their business are better off today than 15 years ago? You said 10 we are better off than 10 years ago but I will bring it to 15 yrs because 10 years ago, it was your government that was in office and I cannot compare FAILURE with FAILURE because the answer will still FAILURE as is the case today.
“tremendous strides”, ian? com’on give me a break! u guys hav failed this country!!!
Ian, I cannot remember Guada people ever being stock in Dominica to the point of them threatening to sue. Didn’t that happen last month? Also Ian, you said we now have flights coming in at 10PM. Are they scheduled flights or flights that got delayed? I went to LIAT.com and I could not find a scheduled flight arriving at 10PM. I saw Barbados/DOM 6:35 as latest; ANU/DOM 7:20 and SLU/DOM @5:35. Did I make a mistake? I don’t know about winair or those other small flights since I don’t consider them. But the truth is, when you look the impact of that night landing has on Dominica in terms of the amount spent verses improving air access, job creation and helping the economy, the OECS Councils of Tourism Ministers that you are now trying to addressing must be laughing at you and the people of Dominica for having failed so miserably.
Nonsense, nonsense, nonsense. These office-holders must sudmit themselves to admitting that there are root causes which still exist. Night landing partially solves the problem. Therefore air access is still restricted. The benefits of an international airport such as 24 hour flights, increased passenger volume, potential unlimited air tourist arrivals, increased business transactions, that is, in both services and transportation of goods. Facilitation of business can lead to reduced costs and possible attraction of business set up. Imagine the benefits for Ross University students. This government should be held accountable for the non-existence of an international airport. With sincere humility, I am unable to accept the tremendous strides made Mr. Douglas.
Like or Dislike: 0 0 Oh No April 24, 2014 Your comment is awaiting moderation
Nonsense, nonsense, nonsense. These office-holders must sudmit themselves to admitting that there are root causes which still exist. Night landing partially solves the problem. Therefore air access is still restricted. The benefits of an international airport such as 24 hour flights, increased passenger volume, potential unlimited air tourist arrivals, increased business transactions, that is, in both services and transportation of goods. Facilitation of business can lead to reduced costs and possible attraction of business set up. Imagine the benefits for Ross University students. This government should be held accountable for the non-existence of an international airport. With sincere humility, I am unable to accept the tremendous strides made Mr. Douglas.
Reply to this comment
“Ten years ago landing in Dominica after 5:00 pm was unheard of, in fact in was impossible,” he noted. “Today one can land in Dominica at up to ten o’clock at night.”
Ian, are you in your right mind? Man you are lawyer by profession and I guess you need to open your private office to redeem yourself. By your own words, I could tell you have been fooled again.
Ian, while it is true that one might be able to land in Dominica at 10pm now thanks to LIAT for being unreliable, you will admit also that 15 years ago Dominicans never got stock in other Caribbean islands as they are today. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember ever hearing Mr. Nassief and other Dominicans writing letters and complain like they are doing now. So yes, according to Bob Marley song of “Rat race”, here is a line that sounds like what you bragging about: “In the abundance of water,
The fool is thirsty.” In other words, if things were normal, you would expect people to cry less about getting to Dominica, since you have night landing, But Bodier!
Mr. Douglas is referring to the improved landing facilities at the Melville Hall. Can you prove that 15 years ago commercial night landing could have taken place in Dominca? Can you show how the minister is telling a lie?
You are so quick to tear down the gentleman that you ramble on a confused comment that is wholly unrelated to what the man is saying. What does LIAT’s shoddy service have to do with our improved night landing facilities?
Man, come closer let me kallot you!!
@bo-go-roy, sorry my friend because you already bo-going. Man/woman, you asked me to show that the man is telling a lie? In response :
1. I NEVER said or implied that the man was lying. Maybe you know he is telling a lie and you might have your reasons.
2. If u go back to my 3rd paragraph you will notice that I agreed with him that one can land at 10pm now.
3.What I did point out is(a) the FACT that while we may have flights coming in later now yet, never in our history did we have so many people not being able to come in. In fact I remember at one time Dominicans were stock in St. Kitts for several days(b) dispite the fact that we have flights coming in at 10PM, can you direct me to any webpage that shows a scheduled flight to Dominica at 10pm? If not, then it is unethical for the minister to talk about that as success.
4.Concerning improved facilities that are better than 15yrs ago, I invite you to ask any taxi driver if their taxi service is better off today that 15 years ago.
5.What does Liat Shaddy service have to do with our facilities you asked? EVERYTHING! Didn’t Skerrit know about their shaddy service before he gave them $8million dollars? Why did he not work on improving that shaddy behavior first? How do you boast of building a large family room in your house when you know the foundation was bad and yet you failed to correct it? That’s exactly what the millions dumped on melvillehall reminds me of. Fortunately, I travelled to St. Vincent many times while they were building their international airport and I can tell you that while the current airport was being maintained, they didn’t dump money on the old airport simply because they were looking ahead. Hope I answered all your questions
I still do not understand the minds of the politicians. During the reign of the UWP, I thought some land near the St Andrews High School was for the purpose of constructing an international airport. Didn’t they perform a feasibility study on this and it was good to go? I am not an engineer – can someone please enlighten me on this?
Why didn’t the labor party continue with this project instead of wasting millions of dollars to expand Melville Hall. I thought in 2012/2013 they would have realized that we need at least a boeing 737 to land at anytime WITH PASSENGERS, NOT CARGO! Didn’t they warn that the bigger planes/jets cannot take off in case of an emergency due to the scary mountain? Were they trying to score brownie points? I am not criticizing what was done – in fact it is much better than what was there before but my point is why do the politicians keep wasting resources? I may be wrong but I’m just saying…
Patriotic
you are correct about the uwp planning to build an airport in the north ,but that was from the heights of woodfordhill down to wesley . Land was aquired payments started . there was a draft of the plan for the runway, terminal and all . then came D L P , Rosie fooled some of the idiots that they could keep thei land even if they got paid.and stopped paying those who were not yet paid.that was 15 yrs ago right now they have started making payments as election is soon due. iN ovember I left D A for the U S by seaborne had to sleep in P R . for my return to D A the airline sent me an email stateing that my filght from NY leaves after 8 am and will have to overnite in PR. To my question for hotel accormodation the answer was my money can be refunded. in march my wife went dowm , on return she left D A at 10 am , stayed in PR till 8pm and got to new york at midnight . Ian needs to think before he makes speaches because he must have looked stupid to his quests
“Why didn’t the labor party continue with this project…?”
One word: Bad idea.
The UWP was warned against this project both by the IMF and at least one risk analysis consultant. Additionally, they had eaten up part of the expensive money that they had borrowed for the project paying public servant salaries and doing who-knows-what else.
So, in spite of the UWP’s valiant efforts at misinformation and spin, that airport project was doomed from the time it left Eddison’s desk.
Francisco Telemaque will enlighten you on that, not only was a location chosen in the Wesley area, but construction was actually commenced. The new St. Andrews Secondary School was part of the project. If DNO post my submission prior to this and this one. You can read an account I have given on the subject matter. And let me show you how silly some of their decisions were. When the Secondary School was designed, the Trinidans included a Fifth Form College into the Blue Prints, as soon as they siege power one of the politicians went to the construction site, and demanded that they omitted the Fifth Form College, when the contractor ask him why he wanted to omit the Fifth Form College, he answer was “we already have one in Roseau!”
So, you see the mentality of our people, many of them especially the members of the Labor Party, when they were ask why is it they do not want an International Airport in Dominica, they always answered “Antigua, and Barbados have one already. What can anyone do with people with such stupid mentality ?
Believe you me had it not been for bad politics, and the stupidity of all the members of this Labor Party, we would long have an International Airport in operation in our country.
Let me inform you that the UWP secured loans to a tune of more than three hundred million dollars, to be used in the construction of the airport. The government of Trinidad & Tobago fianced 80% of the cost, under one condition, and that is the contractors, and engineers that would be involved in the construction would come from Trinidad. A team of workers was on the Island, when the coalition DFP, DLP took power, their first order of buisness was to shut the project down.
They shut down the building of the International Airport, and ordered the Trinidians out of Dominica! What they did with money, they decided to squander it on the advise of people such as prime minister of St. Vincent who told them that Dominica does not need an International Airport ever; all the Labor Party need to do is refurbish the old dilapidated terminal, and install landing lights as they have in St. Vincent, and that will serve Dominica for life.
Our stupid, and confounded politicians took Gonzales advise walked away from building an International Airport, and interim, Gonzales went back to his country, and ensured he built an International Airport in his country. It is important to note while Gonzales was influencing our illustrious and mouth talking no action government not to build our international airport, he was in negotiation to build an International Airport St. Vincent, he must be laughing at the stupidity of our government at the moment.
I defy any member of the Labor Party to deny or refute what I said; anyone who try to put a spin on it as I have stated, would be nothing than a liar!
We should all be ashamed of the stupidity of this; our government, Ian need to shut his mouth!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Yes Sir, night landing is supposed to be until 10 pm but thanks to LIAT (Leave Island Any Time), I personally have landed at Melville Hall at 10:45pm.
So, night landing in Dominica is extended by 45 minutes; more time for more flights. Why you complaining?
What is the tremendous strides? How do you quantify the positivie impact on the longer hrs for landing has brought?
Another bunch of just talk and no action.
After fifteen years this is all you have to offer on this important issue?
Time to go and find another job.
Would you employ Hon. Ian Douglas as your lawyer if he was in private practice?
lol why you embarrassing the man further for boy lol you cah ask them kind of questions lolllollol
Oh, i surely will not employ Fontaine as my Minsiter of Finance or Linton as my PM. However, both as an attorney and a politician, Ian Douglas has a record of achievements. Sure, we can slam him for not doing more, but you cannot take away from him what he ahs acheived. Put aside all emotions and hot air and compare his work as a lawyer and a politician against that of any UWPwee candidate.
According to Ian, “government’s decision to “invest in the airline” was done ““in the best interest of our people.”” REALLY IAN.
Douglas said “Dominica has been “attempting” to solve its air access problem through numerous international airports in neighbouring islands such as “Antigua, Barbados, Gaudeloupe, Martinique, St. Maarten and St. Lucia.”
IAN, ALL OF THESE ISLANDS ARE PROFITING AT THE EXPENSE OF DOMINICANS. WHERE IS DOMINICA’S PROFIT?
I hope that YOU realize the IMPORTANCE of TOURISM on the Island, and that YOU DO NOT ALLOW these NEIGHBORING ISLANDS to INFLUENCE YOUR and the GOVERNMENT’S DECISION to EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS so WE can BENEFIT from this EXPANSION.
BETTER TOURISM INDUSTRY, BETTER AND MORE AIR ACCESS, MORE REVENUE FOR DOMINICA. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, IAN.
More hot air! All these loud words that say nothing. SMFH!!
very very sad mr minister after 15 years that is all you can say on this, you speak like you are in pre- school.
Tremendous strides made in which air access? I wonder if is air access for people that does travel on broomstick mister talking about? As if I hear a rumor once that is Broomstick [Airlines] that making use of the night landing……after 10pm.
While most islands are celebrating the arrival of new airlines services capable of moving passengers in their hundreds per flight, Dominicans (especially dat backward government in power ie the DLP) celebrating the beginning of new airlines services that coming with 5-10 seater aircraft that don’t even have one toilet onboard.
But then, a segment of the population bawling Labour, Labour, Labour……….and when people in the foreign tell dem Dominica backwards, dem does get vex.
Labbouuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrr……………………………
“While most islands are celebrating the arrival of new airlines services capable of moving passengers in their hundreds per flight,”
Yeah right! Name two of these “most islands.” Nah, i will make it easy for you….name ONE.
Joker! You guys are going to spend the next 10 years in opposition using the Internet and frequent flier coupons to spin your web of misinformation and lies. And, after you have spent the next decade, you will still spend some more.
Night landing is not something to boast about when we are last on that list.Any respectable country has night landing. What good is connections in other countries if there is no guarantee making the connections as was the case with hundreds of Liat passengers who were either stranded or were forced to buy a ticket with another airline..Any other airlines coming into the country are either so small that it hardly makes a dent, not particularly economical or not that regular (or all three!)..Liat is only a contributor to major travel because passengers are left with no choice. Liat is certainly nothing to boast of