Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security, Dr. Irving McIntyre has announced that works are ongoing on the International Airport Project.
He made the announcement while presenting the 2023-2024 National Budget at Parliament on Tuesday.
According to him, the airport which is located in Wesley is critical to the overall transformation of the economy and will facilitate the growth of all sectors of the economy, in particular, the agriculture, tourism, and trade sectors.
 “The contractor has mobilized, and the works are ongoing on construction of temporary supporting facilities for workshop and storage, as well as for mixing concrete and asphalt,” he said. “Over the next two years, we will see significant progress.”
Dr. McIntyre continued, “This Fiscal Year the continued development of the site will include major earthworks, construction of culverts and new roads, and the installation of the perimeter fence.”
He revealed that work is expected to begin on the passenger terminal building in August 2024, and the runway, taxiway, and apron in October 2025.
 “Mr. Speaker now is the time for us to begin preparations for the dramatic change that will take place in the economy,” he indicated. “All sectors need to align themselves to maximize the many opportunities which will be derived from this very important project.”
Additionally, Dr. McIntyre said the focus must be placed on the positive impact of the introduction of the American Airlines direct flight from Miami, to begin to understand the transformational impact of an airport that will allow direct flights from Europe, Canada, and different parts of the United States.
 “Our hoteliers, tour operators, bars and restaurants, farmers and fisherfolk will all benefit. This will open new avenues for the export of our products and result generally in the expansion of the economy and improvement in the lives and livelihoods of all our people,” he noted.
A one-billion-dollar contract between the Government of Dominica and Montreal Management Consultant Establishment (MMCE) was signed, signaling the official commencement of the construction of the highly anticipated international airport.
The contract signing which took place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium on June 9, 2021, is a long-awaited dream held in the hearts of citizens for over 50 years.
At the time, the prime minister expressed gratitude to the people of Wesley, Woodford Hill, and Palm Tree who facilitated the construction of the airport in their communities and vowed to the citizens of Dominica, at home and abroad, that nothing and no one will stop his government from building the international airport.
This is a picture of what Skerrit has in his head. But this is not what the real drawing shows.
I will believe it when I see it . But for now I don’t believe it.
@ Wesley, What the hell do you know about seeing and believing ” you would not be able to tell the differences.
Me,you and ???,stop being crooks and traitors to your country.Stop being house n…….There is an article dated July 25th 2023 which states.Starting in 2024 US passport holders travelling to 30 European countries will need to apply for Authorization(Visa)Former President Donald Trump and a large number of Americans are already up in arms,while you rejoice at Dominica’s misfortune.Read how people defend their land.Instead of gossipping do some reading,and stop being a traitor to Dominica.But again we know it is your kind who celebrated and rejoiced at the destruction of Dominica after Maria.Skerrit is the one who led the charge in building Dominica,anything Skerrit has,and he get he deserve.It is a fact that the Skerrit haters are against the housing revolution,they are against the NEP,they are against the yes we care and they are against the $300 monthly for 2,700 senior citizens.Wicked and cursed,because of their wickedness they will continue to remain in the yard.
Everyone should call you a clueless , you should stop swallowing the dust from skerro’s tailpipe ,and grow a pair.
It seems like you do not have a brain. When I meet you again I will shine a flashlight from your left ear to see if the light will show on the other side.
You messages seem to be automated, same old stuff, no thought process. Shame on your shallowness.
That’s how easy it is. Build an international Airport and all problems will be solved and we will have growth of all sectors of the economy, in particular, the agriculture, tourism, and trade sectors!!! That only begs the questions why haven’t they thought of this before??
So-called Accountant, The truth about you black men and women most have big mouth loud talk and no brain, I am talking about UWP and their little monkeys hanging around on the roads and run shops. Take for example that so-called opposition leader from Salisbury and ugly Lenny, it’s exactly the same the same person with two heads.
Is that a Fata Morgana I am perceiving here?
@Batibou, if you were keeping in touch with what is happening in Dominica you would not be asking such an idiotic question. But again people like you live off propaganda and the hope that nothing good should happen in Dominica.
We asked for an airport we are getting it. Like the Children of Israel they cried to God for a King. God always wanted it to be a theocracy govt that means He would be their God. He gave them their heart desires.why so many complains? At least give it time to be manifested. Right is Right he is trying. Let God deal with him. We are looking for all the little idiocencrencies. He has to give an account to God also. We are like a generation of Vipers. Just saying!!!!!!!
Listen Sharon, I do not believe you live in Dominica and if you did and experienced Roosevelt Skerrit’s antics in real life you would know that the man has a severe narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
for which unfortunately there is no cure. One symptom is an absence of empathy although he is quite good at faking it. I wish he could change but that is impossible I believe, the man is totally in love with himself.
Thanks for educating me Toto. Who feels it knows it. Right? Bless you
Where is the feasibility study, where is the approved budget and who are the contractors???? As usual, more questions than answers. Let me tell all you, this is a hoax this is another one of Skerrits famous Fata Morganas. Don’t believe a word he says, don’t believe a word his disciples say.
Comrade Ralph Gonsalves built an international airport in St. Vincent without selling passports whereas ours is still a promise while we are extending the existing one at Melville Hall next doors. What will happen to that facility when the
the one at Wesley opens? Just curious, that’s all. By the way, uncle Ralph studied for a real doctorate in Manchester and is also a labourite but I guess a more successful one than our boaster usurper.
First of all there Isn’t a Melville Hall Airport anymore. It’s Douglas -Charles.
Gonsalves didn’t use the CBI programme to fund his Airport. Maybe he should have, It wouldn’t have taken him 12years to complete with fluctuating contractors.
At least the money and contactors are available and work is in progress, and an appropriate date for completion.
Douglas Charles airport is in the same location as it always was, Melville Hall and its international designation code remains the same DOM as do its GPS coordinates.Just changing its name does not mean the airport has changed or disappeared. As William Shakespeare said a rose is a rose by any other name.
What exactly are these dramatic changes that will take place in the economy? Why doesn’t he name all those opportunities which will be derived from this airport. As usual, nothing but propaganda and broad phrases. No solid facts, let alone any figures.
The crooks and Dominican traitors can jump high jump low the INTERNATIONAL airport will be built by Skerrit.Just like the Windsor Park stadium,the Dominica-China friendship hospital,the E O Leblanc highway and the Grammar school was built by Skerrit,so too will the airport.Anybody who is totally against the CBI,is an enemy of the Dominican PEOPLE.They are enemies of the 2,700 senior citizens getting $300 monthly.They are enemies of the 4,500 employees in the NEP.They are enemies of the more that 5,000 people who have profited from the housing revolution.They are enemies of the more than 300 employees in the Yes We Care.UWP and their supporters know the above mentioned persons will never vote UWP.Do good is the same,do bad is the same,because UWP will never get into power,they are trying to destroy the country.I am down,I am bringing you down,that is UWP.We know who were the Gros Boug in the days of UWP.Corrupt and greedy.
@Lin clown
Clown you left out many things.
Skerrits grabbing of $64000.00 every month from poor tax payers
An additional $10 000.00 for electricity
Skerrit inability to account for more thanEC$4 000 000 000.00
Skerrits closing the door for citizens of Dominica to enter the UK visa free
Skerrits friendship with gangsters and criminals
Skerrits dismantling of DLP…ask Matthew Walters clown.
The list goes on snd on…
So your list is INCOMPLETE Clown.
@Lin clown
You are so dam ………………. If after 23 years that is DLP’S achievement then it has failed terribly, and it needs to go.
I guess clowns like you have no understanding. In 2023 you are mentioning EC$300.00 being given to elderlies? Your WICKED soul. Skerrit is grabbing EC$64000+some more for electricity.
Are you a DEVIL?What can $300.00 buy in Dominica??
I do not always agree with you but for real Life and Death is in the power of the tongue why does Dominicans try to Abbort a vision before it comes to fruition.. wicked Souls. Give it time at least we can see ground breaking. Do we expect the airport to be up and running in a couple months. The PM has demonstrated the interest to have an airport. Why can’t we pray for him. We are asking for receipts. Where the funds are coming from. The CBI funds. What a people. Let them remain in LODI AT a place of misery . Again I will say Dominica looks much better now than 10years ago. Go ahead PM SIR SKERITT pay them no mind they are evil souls. I am happy for sure the Airport is coming… KUDOS to you Sir SKERIT. Don’t pay them any mind do your THANG Sir. You have our vote.
This international airport is as real as a mermaid or a unicorn. Imagine , there are no drawings nor designs, no soil testing, no EIA, no dprecise date kf completion, no precise cost, et cetera.
Roosevelt is the biggest fabulist. He is a career LIAR. The international airport will be just another fakery as the replacement university for ROSS and the ghost cruise village.
I wish I could share Dr. McIntyre’s optimistic vision of the completion of the new airport and the dramatic change that he predicts it will make to the economy. But sadly I cannot.
I predict that the “International Airport”, if ever completed, will be a white elephant and a financial burden on future generations of Dominicans.
The existing Melville Hall airport can adequately serve the islands needs without further despoiling the environment.
I agree with you Roger. The runway at the Melville Hall airport has a better alignment with the prevailing wind coming from the east than the proposed new one at Wesley, although if ever constructed it coul be approached from the north and the south, over the sea, enabling unobstructed landing and take off. Against that pilots would have to contend with a degree of crosswinds at the Wesley location.It is puzzling why the government is spending a lot of money now upgrading Melville Hall when it supposedly becomes redundant in 2-3 year time
when a new airport opens just down the road. What is the future destiny of a redundant Melville Hall. It does not make sense unless of course Roosevelt Skerrit is pulling a fast one again and the Wesley location was always destined to become an exclusive resort with an 18 hole golf course, In which master Skerrit would have a large stake through a off-shore company, not in his name of course.
Pipo, I would add to your prediction of an exclusive resort with an 18 hole golf course, “A Gated Residential Community.” That being, a community to which the average Dominican is excluded.
We asked for an airport we are getting it. Like the Children of Israel they cried to God for a King. God always wanted it to be a theocracy govt that means He would be their God. He gave them their heart desires.why so many complains? At least give it time to be manifested. Right is Right he is trying. Let God deal with him. We are looking for all the little idiocencrencies. He has to give an account to God also. We are like a generation of Vipers. Just saying!!!!!!!
Comrade Burnette
This has been my point of view from since day one. We don’t need a new international airport to attract international flights like what many people are saying. Several levels of improvements can be made to what we have to suit our needs. People talk about these mountains that is a hindrance to flights landing….well let us contract a reputable firm and do justice to the mountains….we can ask the Chinese…They have the expertise.
This would allow us to lengthen the runway…..St.Marteen did it and we all know it is among the busiest in the Caribbean. There is this huge mountain right in front when the plane take off. Yet Air France, KLM, Jet Blue, Delta, and numerous other airlines…have no issues.
The river….let us make this a special project. Attach this as a course module for the students in the engineering dept at our technical college. This would give the future architects and engineers a change to be involve in this transformation.
This can…
I would suggest Dominicans have a look at the airport in Madeira, the island of birth of Dr. Gonsalves of St. Vincent forebears, which is a major tourist destination. It is similar to Dominica, situated in the Atlantic, off the west coast of Africa. The airport is built on a mountain side with a runway partly on concrete stilts in the ocean across the prevailing wind, creating permanent cross winds of varying strengths. It should not be to difficult to adapt DOM and make it accessible to jet aircraft, even during night time hours.