Melville Hall is a small airport tucked away beneath the hills of Marigot on the northeast coast of Dominica. Since 1958 it has been a historic migratory corridor to points North, south and beyond for our people. Construction of the airstrip was completed in 1958 soon after the completion of the Trans-insular road.
In 1961, funds from the Commonwealth Development and Welfare program made it possible to lengthen the airport runway and the building of a proper terminal.
Melville Hall has been the ‘road of flight’ for Dominicans from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds. The road on which many who traveled to the Florida Straits and points further north along the Atlantic seaboard and beyond. It has been the port of departure for the labourers who had enough and finally took their chances in other places far away from their villages. It has also been the departure point for the young, brilliant and confident Dominicans heading to college campuses abroad.
In spite of proposals and ‘political talk’ of an international airport by politicians and different administrations, Melville Hall is still serving the citizens of this country in the best possible way it can. The departures at Melville Hall teach Dominicans what it means to leave one’s home. Almost every aircraft’s departing means that somebody’s dream to leave our small island to better themselves and their families. The flights at Melville Hall carried away the people you knew and loved dearly and later brought these people back as ‘disapora’ strangers. People who had experienced a different lifestyle elsewhere far and near from the shores of Dominica.
With the building of Canefield airport, the economic importance and popularity of Melville Hall decreased immensely for a short time. The word Melville Hall then sounded like a place and an old girlfriend that belonged to a ‘by- gone’ era and the past. What remained were the beautiful scenery of the surrounding lush green mountains and a wide open void of the small airport itself. Occasionally the high pitch and noisy sound of a cargo plane or the rattling of stairs of a rare daily LIAT flight would awaken the silence of the surrounding rain forests.
The convenience of the Canfield airport just outside of the capital city (Roseau), compared to the 24 miles from Melville Hall passing through the steep hills, valleys and hairpin turns and winding roads of Morne Deux Branche from Roseau in the interior, seemed too much of a car hike for most travelers. Due to the frequent and dangerous cross winds and the short length of the runway at Canefield airport, the airlines and aviation authorities were uncomfortable with operations there. The decrease in operations at Canfield meant the resurrection, prominence and popularity of Melville Hall came full circle once again and the falling in love with that old girlfriend- Melville Hall- again.
A few years ago while waiting at Heathrow International airport in London for a transatlantic flight to Washington DC, I got into a discussion with two gentlemen. An American businessman who was traveling to (LAX) Los Angeles Airport and a Brit who was heading to Malta. The American had visited Dominica some time ago and landed at Melville Hall airport on a LIAT flight. He said that he was very frightened as the pilot approached the runway. He asked why the government isn’t building another airport in another location to accommodate international Air travel.
I jokingly asked him if he knew of any Hedge Fund investors in America who could underwrite the costs of constructing an international airport on the island and would he underwrite business ventures to support it. I found myself emotionally defending Melville Hall and our mountainous island. I told the two gentlemen that Melville Hall was not LAX where some 770,000 flights depart and arrive annually, and in time it would be much easier to travel to Dominica by air from any point of origin. At the end of our discussion I could not help but to remember and reflect on the contentious and divisive political debates and arguments that have occurred at home on the building of an International airport during the past five decades.
No matter what is done to Melville Hall, I will always remember the first time I flew out of that airport destined for North America armed with my dreams and having fears of the big city. I also vividly remember the silent, sad and confused faces of my relatives in the small departure area when that moment was disturbed by the rusty sounds of the aircraft’s engines.
The engines’ roar signaled in a very real way that I would be saying ‘adios’ to my kinfolks and to the mountains and river valley of La Plaine and the rest of Dominica. While the plane was taxiing just before it airborned, I recalled my late grand Pa, Burton Allan, saying to me the day before on our steps under a beautiful rainbow in the La Plaine sky after a torrential down pour, “There are some men who go and some who stay and there is a big difference between staying and going”.
A few minutes later the plane disappeared into the blue Caribbean skies over the watchful eyes of choppy waters of the southern Atlantic. Life would never be the same again for me. Whenever I listen to Harry Bellefonte’s hit song, Jamaica Farewell, I always remember that sunny Sunday afternoon when I left Dominica aboard a LIAT Jet Plane destined for a college campus in the U.S.A.
Since that maiden trip out of Melville Hal armed with a dollar and a dream, I have traveled in and out of many airports in the world. But that flight has left an indelible mark on my mind and social consciousness because of the anguish I felt at that time because of the range of emotions and extraordinary amount of self- introspection I experienced. The cost of departure (migration), the cost of the sacrifice and the cost of transformation have been high and sometimes painful, but also very rewarding. Crowded with unforgettable portraits of various emotions when one leaves the safe and secure surroundings of home, says something about our resilience and something important about us as a people from a small island nation.
Dominica continues to produce ‘rich’ citizens in variety, tones and textures whether we hail from the towns, valleys, or hills. These experiences have taught me that as a small nation we all should support Dominica and not necessary political parties and belligerent political personalities with larger than life egos. In the end, the human spirit always prevails and triumphs wherever we find ourselves after we depart Melville Hall. On my many return trips to Dominica, I still find it nostalgic but also frightening and a bit entertaining witnessing the fear in the eyes of some passengers during take- offs and landings as the planes clear the mountains and battle cross winds.
General Douglas MacArthur, the supreme commander of Allied forces in the Pacific during World War II, once said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”. Melville Hall airport is like an old soldier who has stood the test of time and battle. Plane crashes, political, and professional engineering expert condemnation, popularity contests, and now an unnecessary name change. What seems to determine if it still has life depends on who occupies the seat of the Prime Minister.
It is a very sad story and commentary that for over fifty years, Dominicans have heard the same old ‘recycled nonsense’ about Melville Hall by different politicians. This empty rhetoric gets louder and more intense around election time. Today it is no different with the cheap political ‘talk’ of the building of an International airport and changing its name because elections are around the corner. Of course we desperately need an international airport to facilitate adequate air access to develop our island home but the planning and construction of that facility must involve all sectors. Not just foreigners who have deep pockets, altered intentions, twisted agendas and the technical know-how and their facilitators and questionable collaborators at home. Also the arrogant and ill-advised politicians who make these decisions at will without consultation or consideration for the laws of our land must understand that ‘We the People’ are all in this together.
For brave, seasoned and restless air travelers, glancing at an aircraft’s window during arrivals and departures at Melville Hall, it is a priceless bargain. Beautiful majestic rolling hills, rivers and mountains, tropical rain forests, the rugged Dominican coastline, say hello and good-bye. History will always be kind to this small airport, which nestles in the foothills along the Atlantic Ocean not matter its final name, fate or destination is.
My dear PM, King and Supreme Ruler of Dominica is right on point with the renaming of the “Melville Hall” Airport! This outdated name “Melville Hall” bears no significance upon the Dominican Public besides nostalgic memories! The average Dominican does not know who Melville Hall is, what he did or where he was from…nor do they care! Giving the airport a real identity and honor by renaming it for two of our great fallen heroes is testament to the superior wisdom and intelligence of our great Master, Leader and King, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, the most Honorable!
an international airport is critical for the development of an small country. Dominica the quicker the better. In Grenada we were fortunate we got the communists to build us one before we kicked them out
If Mr. PM is so sure that he will WIN the next election, why is he trying to hard and doing every thing in one month. Why can’t he get those thing done in his next term. Very suspicious. GuGuGaGa.
Dominica definitely needs a solution to the situation, where it is literally being held hostage by the main hubs. Before, one could get to Dominica in one day, now it is impossible, same routes, same airlines. They have arranged it so that you must overnight, which means, hotel fee! Dominica needs to ,and must do better than that.
Well, I am sure this is the perception you have, and a lot have, about flying to Dominica, but this is not true anymore.
You can fly in one day from all europe via Paris or Amsterdam to St Maarten and then Winair or Liat,
You can fly from UK via ANtigua or Barbados,
You can fly from South america with Copa to St Maarten,
You can fly from New York or Miami via San Juan and seaborne ,
From Charlotte, Miami, New York to either St Maarten and Winair or Liat, or Barbados and Liat, or St Thomas and Hummingbird air, ….. and even more to come.
Hope it helps.
To Dr Finn.
Hello and good afternoon my people. Well Dr Finn it seems like you have roots in my village and that’s nice to know. This article remind me when I left in 1969 on Ash Wednesday to America and it was sad but rewarding. I would like to know for whom Melville Hall Airport is named after. They should either lengthen the runway into the sea or build a bigger airport in Warner.
I declare that the families in Dominica will be blessed through Christ and healing waters will flow into Dominica, in Jesus name.
I don’t necessarily agree with the ‘if you build it they will come’ old saw.
Because first and foremost, a country depending on Tourism as it money-maker has to provide ENTERTAINMENT. Carnival (with the exception of Calypso Finals show and the street jump-up is basically dead anyway). WCMF is only a three day event. What happens for the rest of the calendar year? Why not create some sort of Summer Festival?
To get tourists trekking into an island to spend their hard-earned dollars, you must be able to offer them something that they won’t find on the North American mainland.
That being said, Discover Dominica Authority has not outlined a clear goal in terms of Dominica’s tourism venture. Are we going eco-tourism or are we not? If we are, then the first thing we need to tackle is our attitude towards a CLEAN GREEN island. Too much rubbish is casually strewn around the island’s road network. Take an inter-island drive any given sunday and the issue that stands out is that there is just too much rubbish strewn by the road-sides. Dominicans have no sense of pride in their country.
I’ve always told my friends if Dominicans would devote half of their efforts to cleaning up the rubbish and rubble that we spend bickering about politics on the airwaves, we would have been plenty further as a Nation.
That is very true.
Was that a rant, rave or personal reflection?
Like you, I was asking that myself the same thing. But trust Finn; the man cyan write a focused piece. The article’s title is very misleading. It should be named, “Reflections on leaving through Mellville Hall.”
lovely article…..but LIAT aint NO jet!!
People like all you just would like to see dominica remain back ward.
No way a 4 hour direct flight should take 2 days.
Great story to the little airport that could. Down with the politics. Regardless of the party that builds a much needed international airport the people and country as a whole will be the winner.
Very well written Dr. Finn,
I enjoyed this piece of writing. Thank you, I fly through this small international gateway 6-8 times a year. It is always a place of great emotion flying in and flying out.
Great theists Finn: it took me a long time to concentrate and figure out where you were taking your argument. I read every line; however, except for the brief history of yourself, I found nothing significant which sheds any new light on any issue in regards to Melville Hall Airport.
Nevertheless, there is something fascinating in the quote below; these are your words:
“I jokingly ask him if he knew of any Hedge Fund investors in America who could underwrite the cost of constructing an International airport on the island and would he underwrite business ventures to support it.”( Emmanuel Finn).
I have to remind you sir, such were the very same sentiments we heard from people like yourself when you and supporters of the late Roosevelt Douglas, Roosevelt Skerrit, the late Pierre Charles, Athie Martin, and company told our nation that Dominica could not afford an International Airport, and entertained the idea that some foreigner should build an International Airport on the island, operate it for a few years, and then give it to the Labor Party for free.
You all talked the same nonsense about no business ventures to support an International Airport. Someone should have reminded you then, that an International Airport built on the island would have help to attract foreign business. Even when Edison James had one under construction, you all shut it down!
Now as for Skerrit idea of eliminating the name Melville Hall from the word Airport, is all due to his desperation, it is election time, and because he is burnt-out, and bankrupt of ideas, he is drumming up bits, and pieces of nonsense to throw at the peoples feet to see what he can get them to hold unto to see if they will become interested in him, and his nonsense again. I the first place we need to find out how significant, or insignificant was Melville Hall the man in our nations history, what part he played in the development of our country that caused that area to bear his name for more than a hundred years.
Finally, if you research it carefully you will find that there are more than 770,000 flights arriving, and taking off from Los Angeles International Airport per year.
Think of this: 770,000/12 =64,166.667 or approximately, 64,167/4 that would mean approximately 16,042 landing and take-off per week/7 =2,292 landings and take-off per day unless you are indicating passenger operated flights only, I suggest you check into the public records and see what you find.
We love you daddy ski rooo anything u do or everything u it’s all for the best of our sweet natureisle
I wonder if the PM, organized a Team, besides his Cabinet to come to that decision…..I can think of persons who could advise him….Alwin, Lennox H, Raymond L, Brian Alleyne, . Mrs Leevy.and others….this decision is really ‘silly”’who is Douglas/Charles…
We will get accustom to the new name.
Some people want to change Dominica’s name and we cannot change the name of an Airport to honour two Prime Ministers who died on the job?
Can anyone remember where Queen Mary Street is or was?
Women get accustomed to a name change after marriage; true more and more are opting to retain their maiden name and that is very good.
Just read on DNO that the Grand Bay Credit Union will be honouring a deceased Manager by renaming the Credit Union with her name. And I am sure there are many such name changes in the past and there will be in the future.
Is it because the PM and the Government is making the change, or we just love the name Melville Hall and change is unnecessary.
What is the Roseau Credit Union name?
Dr. Finn you are not saying much. Your writing also falls under the headline of politics.
And your point?
You live in America and see name changes all the time, bridges, roads streets; Finn stop being a hypocrite. Didn’t you change your name from Johnfinn to Finn ? So pathetic, hang on to your colonialistic mentality.
The first time I reach the flight was an exciting adventure and the arrival thru the mountains into the jungle airstrip legendary. Beautiful Dominica truly isle of beauty
Political gimmickry, the name of the Airport tell its location, it is non-political, or partisan. The two men already have schools named after them in their honour,so why the rush to rename the airport which has a perfectly good name. I do not understand this . Is the government that desperate. Needs something to take the people mind off the real issues confronting the state,people be aware and do not let emotions cloud your judgements.
Dr Finn, this ode to Melville Hall portrays the utopian reverie that has seduced your memory so completely that you are forced without invitation to publish this fantasia.
You published this very article with minor substitutions in the 22nd issue of the Dominican on May 31, 2002 and once prior to this publication, on DNO, in each instance complaining about the changes ( improvements) at Melville Hall Airport. I am not amused that you would allow your political leanings to obscure the reality of change. If “change is a must”, how can you fall in love with an airport? Let her go!
Thank you for reminding. I knew I’d read most of this before, somewhere. You know, deja vu? I’m reading this thing and thinking, I know these same sayings, rantings. And they are not mine. Where did I see this again?
Dr Finn come with something original next time. And while you try, take off your political glasses. Be objective. We need learned men like you to not take sides, and help with educating the masses.
Yes, come like a wolf in sheep clothing with all your poetic and fancy terms. Thanks for the manifesto of your party. In plain and simple English, most of us have also travelled your path and as true patriots, we are back making our contributions. With all your prestigious name and title, Are you waiting for your party to win to get a free ticket to the land you love so much? Come back a be a patriot.. for the love of our country.
I’m 100% in agreement with this article.. i myself hail from La Plaine. I understand the reticence concerning teh renaming of the airport and how it can seem meaningless to those of use who are nostalgic about the airport. For historical reasons though I do believe a name change is appropriate for historical reasons. Many of our Islands villages/towns buildings and schools were named by the Islands colonizers. As Dominicans we have always been fiercely independent being the last island in the Caribbean to be colonized and the first British colony to have internal self rule with a black legislature. Erecting monuments to those who came before us ties the struggles and victories of the past to our unending drive for a progressive future. Just as renaming the airport gives credit to Dominicans who worked hard over the last 50 years to keep the airport functioning through expansion and investments… they should be the ones honored by having the name of the Airport that very same gateway into and out of Dominica… named after born and breed honorable Dominicans regardless of political affiliation. Furthermore it tells a story to those who can understand it on the international stage that we take pride in our people and history and are taking charge to write our own history from here on out.
the prime minister said ,two weeks ago he brought this to cabinet for approval and he is ready to change the name ,thats crazy ,this is a vie ki vie government ,why so quick skeritt ,whats the rush?,a name change in three weeks ,?oh GOD help us
Mr. P M, if you want to do a name change to the airport and would want to name it after the head of a political party, I would think the best person who is qualify for the airport to be named after them would be the late prim minister Eugenia Charles, who sat in offices for over 15 yrs. I would ask that you would reconsider your thought of this process. I cant think of one area in which these two persons has contributed towards Dominica. yes they were both involved in politics. but to name a public. government building after an individual this person should have contributed a lot to society to receive such an honor, both persons didn’t even held office for a long a period. so why are you trying to upset the Dominica public with such a move. if you really want to do a name change to the airport my recommendation to you would be the late honorable Mr. pat Steven, who is also from the Margot area. he is best suited for the airport to be named after him, what is your agenda here? is this a politics move? or are you trying to say something to the Dominica public stir up controversy which one?
“The word Melville Hall then sounded like a place and an old girlfriend that belonged to a ‘by- gone’ era and the past. ”
That was totally uncalled for Mano: “That’s how you remember me as? Melville Hall airport?”
Thanks for not telling me in person u chose to tell me on DNO?Oh boy!
Please read again. Look like you have difficulty understanding what you read.
Don’t you worry your head doc we will soon have our international airport. I believe in Skerrit and can count on his word to deliver such airport.
So don’t let your heart be troubled. We (labor) has always delivered on its promises. Labor Ka Twavay
no wonder your name is sad, and it seems that you gonna remain sad for a long long time .you and your children ,In the abundance of water .a fool is thirsty ,
thats for you sad
emancepate yourself from mental slavery
they know that there loosing so they are doing all they can to win votes…. but only the unwise and blind will vote them…. the same people who cry the country hard are the same ones jumping up saying labour ka twa vi….. now they borrowing money to put projects in place and owing so much already. linton will deliver this country skerrit, have no fear!!!!!!
Can you people tell me what benefits the name changing of the Melville Hall air port brings to Dominica? Is it the name that keep us back from economic losses for decades du to lack of an international airport?
When are we going to stop that bloody dirty political games, and start being real,
Some 80 million was spent to do all tests for an international airport some plus 25years ago, what do we have to show for it today?
My fellow Dominicans start thinking for yourselves and hold these guys responsible for there words and actions and stop jumping on a bandwagon without seeing the dangers it brings along with it, wise up and demande for yourselves what you think believe and know why is best you Dominica..
Love you’ll
Just leave the airport name alone and stop changing history, it’s not a game. It will always be the Melville Hall Airport to me and many.
Based on the history of the airport it should be changed. Its Dominicans regardless of political party that have kept it open all these years so it should be re-named after Dominicans. Ask yourself how Melville Hall got its name?
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”. I do not know if this is a political move or not, but it is about time that we honor our fallen soldiers. We the People’ are all in this together.
Maybe when/if Dominica gets an international airport, it will be named Dame Mary Eugenia Charles International Airport. While we are at it, we should also rename some of the colonial streets.
Great piece!
One Love Dominicans!!!
Ya right the Neo DLP is Freedom controlled so if say Skrit wins again as it seems to many a Neo.( Skrit baptized by Groovy Bat) is a direct line of the thrown of Dame Eugenia.\So no surprise when Skrit et Al get that killer Loan from China it will be certainly named in memory of his nenen. Remember the Ambassador to us Politics is not about truth. No wonder as a Former DFP-ite it’s easy to come back to the Neo flock of DLP.Guys like these will find no fault in that like Pontius pilot.
Miseur Quick Qwack!
Hose cozenwe mal pien!
Tim Tim Bois sec
hahahahahahah Dr. Counte Finn
DGS writing 1974
Classmate
Dr. Finn, As a piece of prose, I enjoyed reading your piece here, but as a commentary on the political nonsense going on in Dominica, you could have said it in a couple of sentences.
I did enjoy reading this piece. hope you know the majority of Dominicans not going to read this piece.
They just like comess.
have you considered writing a book?
i agree. Too many opening sentences. Murky prose and a weak closing sentence that didn’t encapsulate the points he was trying to bring across.
You need to tighten up your writing skills Dr. Finn.
Cheers.
Well written and touching documentary
you wrote :
“Of course we desperately need an international airport to facilitate adequate air access to develop our island home ”
and I will not agree with that.
Dominica HAS an international airport. Any airline CAN fly to and from Melville Hall airport if they wish to. From anywhere in the world. What Dominica DOES NOT have is an airline willing to fly there…… at their own costs and risks.
Whatever the size of the runway, this will not change.
Dominica does not have the need for a long haul airport. The number of visitors flying to Dominica do not match with a large body aircraft .
The only way to attract a long haul airline to Dominica is to GUARANTEE them with the break even load factor ; in other terms, to pay the seats, whether they are sold or not.
Building a longer runway, maintaining it, and then paying the empty seats to the airlines is out of reach for Dominica’s budget.
Wolrdwide aviation is now a hub type aviation . And Dominica is lucky to be surrounded by 7 well served “international hub airports” less than 300 miles away.
What Dominica needs is a regular, fairly priced, shuttle type airline service between the hubs and Dominica’s airport (s) . And this does not require a longer runway.
Last, but not least, you wrote :
“It is a very sad story and commentary that for over fifty years, Dominicans have heard the same old ‘recycled nonsense’ about Melville Hall by different politicians.”
Yes, this is true. But isn’t this so simply because the voters of Dominica DREAM OF , BADLY WANT ,CRY FOR…. a so called “International airport” when they absolutely do not need nor can afford it ?
Politician’s job is to listen to what the voters want and “promiss” to deliver it. Anything new ?
Wise politicians , most probably ALL of them, whatever their color , know Dominica does not need nor can afford a so called IA .
Very well said.
I live in Toronto and there are few places (except the obvious major cities like NY, MIA, LAX, LAS or ATL) where there are direct flights. It is just a fact of life to connect in another city.
Why we think that a country that cannot even get 90,000 stay-overs a year can sustain airlines flying from NY, Toronto or London is beyond me.
Because of you “build it, they will come!”
Which came first the chicken or the egg? I for one would visit Dominica more often if I could get there in one day. When my grandparents were alive, I felt an obligation to visit every so oftern even though it was an extremely difficult flight. After they passed, the difficult flight outweighed my urge to visit. I wonder how many more of us out here feel the same way?!
sad but true
From most parts of North America and Europe you can now reach Dominica the same day.
And you probably do not expect to see flights from all US and Canadian cities to Dominica ? So you will still need to connect somewhere .
The question is not whether it is better for you, or for some, but whether it makes sense for the country.
To that question, my reply is NO .
I understand your wish to have a direct flight though.
I always get home the same day. I plan and book in advance.
Come on….countless people would visit Dominica if
A) They didn’t have to spend 2 days out of their visit just travelling
B) They didn’t have to buy TWO separate tickets or pay DOUBLE what they would to visit most other isles
C) Didn’t have to rely on one inconvenient carrier (LIAT)
An international airport is a necessity for any island that is seriously trying to increase its stay over visitors. Of course we will have a lot to do in terms of marketing, developing tourist areas, etc. But without an international airport none of these efforts make any sense…
I feel the exact same way. After my relatives died I have chosen to visit. London or Paris rather than battle my way to Dominica.
Anonymous what ignorance; I am in total support of Aviator and I have been saying so for years since the Dame days that what we need is a well managed and reliable air shuttle service – LIAT is a waste of time and thats our biggest obstacle not an international jet port. To say build it and they will come is a wasted dream -my friend. All the airports around us are heavily subsidized by governments – in fact as we discuss the airports in Dominica can’t support themselves and have to be subsidized by DASPA- so what makes you think an international jet port will make a difference it will actually add more financial stress on the economy. Rather we need to start making use of the International jet airports around us to our advantage- some are 30 minutes and 1hr away from us and allow us direct access to a variety of markets and I speak of Martinique, Guadeloupe, ( France, Belgium, European markets) St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados – North American and United Kingdom Market -St Maarteen, Dutch Netherlands Market; then we have Puerto Rica a little further away that we can increase our usage – these are hubs that we can strategically tap into with a more reliable air transport service rather than LIAT; I remember some young entrepeurinal and ambitous guys who were trying to convince government in setting up our own local airline and I was confident at the time that if they were supported, today we would have a striving Dominica and by extention an OECS airline – but we are so scared to invest in our own people that opportunity seem to have left us behind. However I see Hummingbird Air is making some attempts and in roads and with the necessary support from the Dominican people and government I am sure we can create a much more reliable and trustworthy service than that presently delivered by LIAT. Finally I would recommend that we bring all the parties interested in air access solutions for Dominica together and lets put all the chips on the table – engage in some frank debate and come through with the best cost effective solutions – to just rush into the construction of an International Jet port will be in my opinion something – ill advised.
A lot of us feel the same way, we want Dominica in 1 day. I guess we wont be seeing any international airport, seeing that there will be a name change. I would suggest he saves that name of our international as promised by our dear PM.Are we getting one soon PM Skerritt
“Dominica HAS an international airport. Any airline CAN fly to and from Melville Hall airport if they wish to. From anywhere in the world. What Dominica DOES NOT have is an airline willing to fly there…… at their own costs and risks.”
If you are of the opinion that Dominica has an International Airport, that confirms that you are the most ignorant Dominican alive. Dominica do not have an International Airport. Finn also claimed that he flown on a LIAT jet out of Dominica.
That could not have happened since none of the two 747 aircrafts LIAT had never flew to Dominica, they could not. They flew them from Guyana, to Jamaica, until LIAT disposed of the two. LIAT flew an ordinary aircraft with the words written on it “Prop-Jet” that was not a jet propelled aircraft, jet engine uses suckers, and not propellers.
International airport means an airport to and from which you can fly ” abroad” . Meaning it has customs and immigration and does not require advance notice for an international flight. This we have. Whether you like it or not. You can call me ignorant if you feel better, no problem.
And i would add too,that there are some airlines that have studied the opportunity to fly direct from Miami . They can do it with no problem, the runway is long enough for the type of jet they were intending to use ( embraer 135, bae 145….) . What they wanted is government’s subsidy to do it. Whatever the length of the runway, airlines will still ask for subsidy, and the costs are out of reach for Dominica.
No money + Wrong location to begin with = No improvements or relocation of airport.