The idea of building an international airport is once again a matter of debate in Dominica but this whole discussion is not new.
The idea of building an international airport goes back to Dominica’s first premier, Edward Le Blanc.
According to Dr. Lennox Honychurch, Le Blanc got the Canadian government “to finance a study for a proposed jet airport aligned across the centre of the island from Warner to the back of Castle Bruce.”
In 1971 and 1972, meteorological studies were carried out 24-7 at a small lab at Brantridge near Pont Case, “but the findings declared that there was too much cloud cover and high rainfall and it was abandoned.”
In 1989, the Dominica Freedom Party had a plan drawn for an international airport with alignment from Woodfordhill Bay to Bottom Wesley near Sophia Bay. The plan was drawn by engineering firm, Alexander Gibb, UK, according to Dr. Honychurch. (See plan below).
In 1998 the United Workers Party (UWP) also had a plan drawn for an airport with alignment further in land from behind Woodford Hill village near the Woodford Hill Agricultural Station to end behind Wesley at the back of the former St. Andrews High School. Design was done by Planning and Stanley Engineers. (See plan below).
On Wednesday, prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said Chinese engineers are in Dominica to visit the proposed construction site of an international airport, in Compton Point near Calibishie, and to offer advice to the government.
The country would be better off buying a load of hoovercrafts and setting up cheaper and better links from Antigua and the ajoining islands. You could have 3 trips a day…landing in Roseau, Portsmouth and Canefield. I doubt there will be that many people flying into Dominica daily to warrant these 300 seater planes!!
Missing is the cost of construction associated with either design.
that airport issue reminds me of the two thousand and nine general elections the people of grandbay can remember the parlrep and pm promise to build the allsaint university in grandbay to help with the high level of unemployment among the young people as soon as election done they give krazy tee the contract to rent the old roseau health centre to allsaints university the people of granbay are now plonged into poverty ah magwe sa
Mr Honeychurch stop beating round the bushes. Is the proposed site of Mr. Skerrit and the DLP—-sorry Mr. Skerrit, is it the same sight dat Dame Mary Eugenia Charles had plans for in the 1980`s?
Freedom party airport’s runway would have been about 6800ft….melville hall is 5800, thousand feet difference. So no where will we see a really big airport in dominica except behind portsmouth going inland and out around ans de mai area.
I agree with the Prime Ministers idea, that the funding of an International airport as shown by the plans above, should be by grants from grants by willing to assist Dominica in this venture. However, we must not forget that we call the airport “Internation” and according to what I see on the plan provided by Lennox Honychurch, planes will be landing from the Atlantic ocean. If planes will be landing from the Atlantic, it means that the wind will be behind any planes when ;anding. The cardinal rule of aviation is that planes should land and takeoff against the wind. We see planes landing at Melville Hall airport from the Atlantic ocean. In the case of airports termed “International” landing with the wind behind the pland is a “no,no”. If in this case, the airport is oriented so that planes will land from the Atlantic ocean, you can be sure that it will never be certified as an International airport. Remember that the planes coming to this airport carry 200 to 300 persons, and the rules of landing and taking off into the wind are strictly enforced when it come to International airports.
The people of Dominica has to come to a conclusion on whethere they want an interenational airport or not. They are all confused because too many times an international airport is being spoken of and nothing comes out of it. The PM need to make sure that this is going to come of the ground and stop blowing hot air to the people of Dominica.
Dominica cannot afford to build or maintain an international airport and I even question if Dominica even needs an international airport. Dominica can use St maarten Guadeloupe or even Puerto rico as a hub similar to how Anguilla uses St maarten and BVI uses St Thomas and all that is needed is frequent small flights from the hub straight to Dominica.
What ever happened to the process of consultation? It seems to me that for a project so expensive but necessary and which can be put to great use, the political parties should put their differences aside and present a uniform front on the international airport.
It is disturbing that in an island as small as we are, we have already wasted funds on at least three previous occasions doing feasibility studies for the same intention-the international airport!
This should not be a political gimmick, as this last effort seems to suggest. Note I am neither a labour party nor a UWP supporter, I support Dominica’s progress.
Look at the PM disclosure re money secured for the airport among other things. It states inter alia that (a) money is allocated for the rebuilding of the international airport, (b) In the same statement he says that the Chinese are coming to do a feasibility study. Are we that foolish to believe that a country will release monies for a project that they are not sure is feasible?
Why should Dominica have three plans for an international airport? all have been paid for by the tax payer, now we are getting a fourth; is it because elections are around the corner? You Think on these things!!!!
I am tired of this country. Everything and everywhere is politics. Today I got told allu skerrit go and put us in debt to build airport. I am thirty and I have never voted nor do I intend to and yet it my skerrit. Why do we make politics take over our lives so much in dca? Friends become enemies, neighbours end up hating each other, and families become strangers. For some reason it has been worse in recent years. Politics never stops. It used to be an election thing but now it’s everything, everywhere and all the time. People get one vote. You vote for who you want and that’s it. How can you cast your vote, and expect others to cast the same vote you are free to cast? But you want them to do it in your favour. Dcans cannot agree to disagree. We seem to have the most ignorant, aggressive, pathetic attitude. Our level of education is good in dca, we are better than the way we behave.
As for the airport, it is needed and if possible, I hope it materialises. God knows we need something to increase our population. P.s freedom party was well ahead of its time.
DNO – It would be an excellent service to the country if you’d search your archives and post a timeline of the last round of debates on this issue. Help the people sort through the half-truths and selective amnesia we all seem to be suffering from.
I support the move for an international airport 100%. But the DLP certainly knows this will be a huge undertaking, so why didn’t the investigation and negotiation not start at least 3-4 years ago? There has been NO mention of this until suddenly? Are we to expect it could possibly occur in 1-2 years?
How can this not be seen as a political scheme, which is easy to explain away if they are re-elected (could not obtain the grant funds).
The only “losers” at this political game are Dominican citizens. Political parties know their populace well…they realize Dominicans treat elections like sport. They want their “team” to win even as they lose…so tell em whatever they wanna hear boys! This tactic is so paper-thin, it is simply disrespectful to Dominican people.
those leaders just taking Dominicans as fools.every election they are going to make a new airport . last election the labour party said we could not afford an international airport . and they wanted a vote for fixing the old one.now they want another vote , there is an airport talk again .by now we would have four airports .but so sad we have the same one from creation and a bunch of brainwash voters
Pm point round that good
if you guys can’t make up all you minds as to where to build the airport build it in Portsmouth right there at the cabriits going all the way to bell hall
You doesn`t hear the Cabritts is for the marina—whenever that happens.
Dominica is going down fast.
sorry .
i meant in one of them
@ tell it.
this is the only island in the world where the people allowed their leaders to walk and control their way of life, so for you to belive that we are not the dumbest people that ever walk this earth, you have to be spending all of your time under a rock. i have just made an operation on my eyes. i cant see in one of they and very little in the next,even if someone were to prick a hot iron into my both eyes right now, i will still be able to tel the time without a clock. sit on that one .
your turly
mr one eyes jack.
Senseless where on earth are you from? You are not only blind yiu are also dumb. Please do some more reading .
Have you been to other countries? Have you even travelled? My friend believe it ornot, Dominica isn´t the worst. I don´t understand why you keep on bashing your country like that. Look at South Africa, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Colombia… and the list goes on. Please give Dominica a break you bunch of hypocrites!
The last plan looks like a coffin.They wanted to put Dominicans in the grave man
I have no problem with what the goverment is doing those before didn’t do anything to advance DA the PM is trying wended to give him a chance.we don’t have they money so he needs to borrow,the money is coming from a corporation so my only concern is how much control and influence they will have after lending so much money.
It is going to be very expensive to run an international airport. I suggest that the coorporation be given the oportunity to run the airport for some time to make back their money while providing us with international service.
nice distraction skerrit, you have everyone debating international airport, real clever. You very well know that either ways airport will only find reality in debate and a figment of our imagination before the election, you one clever politician, master of deception….
International Airport debate was first raised by the Oposition as one of their promisses. I think the Govt. just took it further since they already have a plan; funding etc.
Those pictures and plans do not give an accurate picture at all. It seeks to direct the viewers to come to a certain conclusion which is misleading.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but, not everyone should voice it.
Here we go again! Do we WANT an Intl. airport, or do we NEED an Intl. airport? I do know that IF one is built and becomes operable, more Dominicans would come home quite frequently to help the convictions of the poor and downtrodden. 
What happen to the previous crompton point plan?
Not sure if you ppl posting comments new what happen to the international airport proposed by the Freedom Party. It was Eddison James and the UWP who wrote to the funding agencies in USA and told them to not fund the International Airport Mamo wanted to build telling them that Dominicans opposed to the building of the Airport. So now for UWP to pretend they are so interested in an International Airport is to hyprocritical and wicked.
You are a boldfaced liar. First of all the freedom party did not have any firm commitment from anyone to fund the construction of an airport, international or otherwise. The only thing we were told is that soldiers were on their way to begin an “earth moving” operation in connection with an airport. Contrary to what was and is being peddled in certain quarters by persons with connection to the freedom party, there were no draft plans for that airport.
Secondly, the UWP never wrote to anyone telling them not to fund an airport. The UWP was concerned that this “earth moving” operation, coming as it did on the eve of a general election, appeared as interference in our political affairs. As I’ve said above, this was due to the fact that there was no confirmed plan for an airport. The freedom party remained in power for another five years during which time no mention was ever made of an international airport.
Unless you are totally insane or unaware of the happenings in Dominica, I can’t understand how you conclude that talk of an int’l airport by the UWP is “hypocritical and wicked” You must be the only person in the world who doesn’t know that the UWP administration acquired land, had a well advanced plan of the facility and had begun to receive funding and commitments of funding to start the project. So, please do us all a favour and stop your foolishness. It is your constitutional right to support whomever you choose to support, even to worship them if you so desire but please don’t insult the rest of us with this tired and stale lie. What do you hope to gain by continuing to speak such untruth? is you hatred for Mr. Edison James so strong that you would further damn your soul by telling lies rather than getting rid of this hatred which is destroying you?
I see no wrong in building the airport. Look ahead into the future, International air access means more visitors are able to come to Dominica. Now think of the areas in the North of the Island, there’s a lot of Land up their waiting to be developed, a smart thing to do NOW is to build up some businesses in th e northern region which will be in close proximity to the New Airport. Think of the revenues to be gained from your investments now. Begin to bring all the “luxuries” of Roseau up to the north, this will do wonders for the Dominican economy for years to come and for the families and business people who are wise enough to see this money making opportunity which is about to occur. Don’t believe me? Look at all the Landlords in Picard who realized that Ross will give them a reliable and sustainable market.
THANK YOU,,TO MUCH DOMINICANS ARE SMALL MINDED THATS WHY THE COUNTRY NOT MOVING FORWARD…..YALL NEED AN INT AIRPROT LIKE YESTERDAY…ST VINCENT SOON GOT ONE
Owing the Chinese for any reason, is not wise. Their human rights history is that of hell on earth for all but a handful. An international airport would be great for Dominica, but can you afford to build it and maintain it? I think not. Perhaps encouraging the smaller airlines to be more efficient and more cost effective, would make a difference. Please don’t “sleep with” the Chinese. It would be a huge mistake in the long run.
Tell that to America.
The greatest economy in the world, the USA is in bed with the Chinese! Are you for real? If the Chinese are willing to assist us, I say go for it! Stop being a hypocrite!
Right on!
I thought Skeritt , SAVARIEN ,mervin paul and others on the animal show thought the word international airport was a dirty word to use as mockery against the united workers party.Hsve they found the raod to damascus because of elections? and why compton point? this looks to me like a repeat of what they did with the school at Londondery
ALL YOU listen…..I am not against an International Airport.by any government.but with all the borowing money what are the repercussions in time to come.
I am afraid Dominica will become like TIBET under Chinese control.
When we cannot give the Chinese what they want, in return after doing all those freeness for us,we all are going to pay..just wait.
Just because the Tibetans could not deliver in return in their (MOU) the Chinese decided to take control, Now the Supreme religious leader Dali Lama is in hiding.can’t even live in peace in his own place.
My friend, In relation to China, be wise and always know you History before commenting on it or using it to further your arguments.Furthermore, who else will help us? big USA? UK? Europe? Brazil? Jamaica don’t look south, Trinidad don’t look north, where you suggest we look? Our population which is smaller than a football match at Manchester United cannot afford to pay for what we need as a lone small Island. All you want better road, better school better everything, but start to cry when you hear the word tax. Think it through.
I also want to add, if we are to build an International Airport, I hope there will be a customer service course for all concerned. Because people, if we not going to be better and Antigua, treat people with kindness and are welcoming, and if our businesses are not fully geared to maximise on the opportunities, then I ask you what is the point.
Great point. Instead of having these political debates we should now focus on developing ourselves to take full advantage of the initiative.
in the last pic tell me where the rivers suppose to continue??????? i see the coffin place right in or on the rivers……really?
lets medernize long time we long await this brand new international airport ..i say go for it….
Boy you thinking just like me, lol.
mamo drawing looks ideal to me…..no wonder the latter did not materialize>>>>it shape too much like a coffin to me………scrool up see for yourself……hmmmmm
@ Jonh bess Skerrit never opposed the need for an international airport. Skerrit said that Dominica could not afford to fund it independently and he is right. Not only do we need the majority of the cost to be grant financing to build the airport but we also need an investor to maintain and run the airport. Now it seemed that Skerrit continued to pursue that possibility. Most likely that will be a reality.
Be happy for Dominica!Let us not leave out or distort information the truth
Positive remark. Thats how it has to be. They fund it and run it. We are in the clear re financial obligation.
If you watch the uwp plan u will see a shape of a coffin, tod me them man killed the plan long before it e en started
Check the the plans above;don’t you see the third looks like an international coffin?Looks like UWP had build it’s coffin a long time ago.
Let UWP and it’s followers know that the idea of an International Airport for Dominica was long in the pipeline and that wasn’t their god(Lennox)idea the way they claim it to be.By the way what became of the lands UWP purchased for that project?Does those lands belong to the Government or do the farmers still retain those lands even after being paid?
Lennox and his gang is a bunch of hyprocrites ;not too long they were crying and shouting Dominica needs an International Airport today they are singing a differnt tune because Skerrit is going to build one.Now they campaigning against it.Do these guys care about the development of Dominica?Nothing is never good if it’s not them doing it.Well this one they won’t take the credit for it like how they making a big issue of the WORLD CREOLE festival.
u need to educate yourself and stop saying what u want,,i am not a supporter of the uwp or current Labour party but i would say clearly i have not read or heard the opposition against an international airport its always the prime minister and his advisers that claim Dominica is not ready for an it and went on to spend Melons on melvinhall air port,,stop it and think like an independent Dominican nd not like a Labourite or UWP hater ,,Be who u are,,Vote for country and not party maybe u will see your way through in life,,
Are you like the fish they call,SAUL? You must be seeing and hearing on one side.
UWP has moved from wanting an international airport to, to much debt that we will not be able to pay. How are we going to get an international airport if UWP were to win the election. Would we prosper that much to aford one? Think about it. It is politics and deception.
the labourite are so brainwash by the corrupted party. They need to establish the law like that states cant stay for more than two term. This pm is too arrogant . Cant wait to see him fall
Stop looking for people to fall just ask for him to be removed. I seriously have no faith in anyone of the guys running right now they are all arrogant and full of lies if you listen to them all you can hear it easily.
The UWP had a chance to change the law when they were in government. Everything they are demanding or want change they had the opportunity to do, the question is why didn’t they do it?
True, they had an opportunity but by the same token the current administration has had three times as much time in which to do the right thing. So what you are saying is, because uwp made mistakes it is ok for skerritt to do as he pleases whether or not it is right. Sick, that is so sick.
I may need to improve my reading and comprehension skills, based on statements made by the DLP Administration.
I initially thought that the US$300 million deal from China included provisions for the reconstruction of an international airport. The word “Reconstruction” means that an international airport already existed in Dominica. I was unaware that we had one, but then again I stand to be corrected.
Maybe I didn’t search diligently enough on my 298.9 square mile island called Dominica to find said airport. Maybe the last time I transferred in San Juan Puerto Rico and flew home on a much smaller aircraft compared to the one that left the States, it was all a figment of my imagination. Maybe I did land at an international airport in Dominica, but I was not of sound mind and judgment to recognize that fact.
According to the Prime Minister’s latest statement, a Chinese technical team will be evaluating the proposed airport-site and they will make recommendations to the government i.e., feasibility assessment survey, environmental impact assessment survey, costing etc.
Additionally, the government will be seeking grant funds to build the said airport because we cannot afford a loan from a “Reputable bank” to build one. If the US$300 million deal from China included provisions for that statement again, “Reconstruction of an international airport,” then why would the DLP Administration need grant funds from friendly governments or friendly donors to construct the said airport?
Alas, I hope the local psych ward at home have extra beds. They should prepare one for me just in case I land at the international airport in Dominica next time, and I fail to realize that I actually landed at one.
I am so confused by this administration. Maybe it’s because of the constant and incessant lies and propaganda that they spew.
“You can fool some people some time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” Carry on my kindred spirit.
I could not agree more, I am also wondering if I too am delusional, since too me EVERY pre-election we are getting an ‘International Airport”? then again, it might just be me!!
Right on point breadren!!!
I love taking notes and quotes from these fellas. I tell you politics can do a lot of things and one of them is controlling.
WE the people of Dominica will listen to the excellent team of the UWP on these issues.
Tell Skerrti no more lies.
speak for yourself. not for me. supporting my government
because of the financing my dear. go pm the majority his behind you.
I like the Freedom Party plan better… good layout/approach; taxiway, etc. Looking at that of the UWP, it looks like a ‘malayway’ airport… where is the taxiway? Terminal and tarmac are almost non-existent. Hopefully they have improved in the visions they have for this country.
I posted a comment a few days ago painting doubt on the math of that $300m. We all knew that $300m could not build an airport, hotel and hospital in Dominica. So I was very skeptical.
However, after reading the article at this site: http://news.gov.dm/index.php/news/4-headline-news/1176-government-engage-chinese-firm-on-constructing-an-international-airport-for-dominica I can say this is a little more credible. Meaning that, pursuing grants to fund this airport seems plausible… My doubt came after seeing the word “RECONSTRUCTION” in all the articles I was reading, even on the Chinese company’s website as well as the incongruable math of building an airport, hotel and hotel with this small amount of money. My hope is that this airport be built with jetways – which connects the jets/planes with the airport terminal. This would come in handy especially when it’s raining… a great asset for Dominica!
Timing for Skerrit’s announcement might be questionable, but nontheless we have not seen Skerrit not deliver on most of his promises. So we wait and see.
I just hope that the int’l hotel in Roseau has great architectural appeal/lure and is the envy of the Caribbean city skyline. Let’s go Dominica!
I am not aligned to any political party in Dominica. I supported the Eugenia Charles Freedom Party because I believed in her leadership. To date, she is still my hero. Over the past 18 yrs., I have watched the political landscape of my country change from one of caring for people to one of power at all cost. Both dominant parties are guilty of this new political phenomenon. Alas, the DFP has gone into hibernation… I hope to be revived in the near future.
What bothers me though is the attitude of the people who comment on this medium. While I acknowledge that we are all free to make our views known on national issues, the shear negativism is just too much at times. When are we going to put our petty differences aside and look towards the advancement of Dominica?
I say this to say that every effort to move Dominica forward is bashed by the opposition… from time eternal… not just now. I have had my doubts about the construction of an international airport in Dominica, mainly because of the shear costs of construction and maintenance. Also, our topography, population size, etc. I still have those doubts. However, if the DLP has found a way to undertake such a venture without cost to Dominica, the least we can do is encourage the administration to so do. I don´t understand all these negative comments from people who themselves can´t offer alternatives. Let´s wait and see how this one develops. Please stop making the reading world think that we Dominicans are the dumbest people in the world!
at no cost to us really…. we r getting an intenational airport at no cost…wow u r the one dat should stop potsing garbage on here
hello where have u heard in this day and age we get things for free,,everything comes with a cost..dont be fooled we will pay,,and u are one of Labour party foot solders dont be hiding under funny names,,
After spending more than $100 million dollars on the Melville Hall upgrade-debacle, they fooled us with night landing. I live in the US. Anyone with common sense knows that the FAA will never, and I repeat never grant permission for any American registered aircraft to land via a water approach i.e., sea.
Yet still, these jokers tried to convince us otherwise.
So you see, when you lie and fool intelligent people, they will always react when they learn the “Gospel Truth.” The DLP is skilled and trained in lies. Just tell us the truth as citizens of this magnificent land and stop with the “Foolishness.”
Good point. Getting someone to fund and manage the airport is the right thing. It will keep us from financial obligation and they will get a chance to get their money. Way to go.
So why are there so many plans in so many different areas on this tiny island of ours? If any of the spots were proven to be suitable then, what has changed to make them unsuitable today such that they have to conduct new studies every time? Certainly neither the weather conditions nor the terrain have changed in the past 40 years.
I think these multiple studies amount to a colossal waste of money.
Obviously you do not understand concepts of country development in the world today. You may not believe it but yes, things do change, and 40 yrs. is a long time so new studies are required. But mainly, they are required to assess the costs which will have changed drastically over the past 10 to 15 yrs. I wish we would engage in active research before we make some of these rather nonsensical comments that we make. Really people grow up and stop thinking that our thoughts and beliefs are all there is!
Things do change in 40 years. Heck some things change in 5 minutes. If we had built a city or structures on the site that was originally designated, it is quite understandable that they would have to search for another site. But if no such structure have been erected, you are telling me the topography and weather/wind pattern would have changed in the last 40 years to make the old site unsuitable?
Educate me my friend. Tell me why those sites, if they are still in the same condition and deemed suitable then are no longer suitable today. Stop throwing words around, back them up with evidence.
I suppose your shoe size is still zero from when you were a baby –
Breds, some things change every nano-second, some change every year, others change every million and more years.
Give the people what they want.
I want a new house, a nice car, plenty of food and lots of pretty clothes. Now give it to me!
You and your ministers are so LAZY Linton and his team have u GUYS on your TIP TOES in all u skin take that
Can you understand English , John bess
Wonderful news but a plan missing Pappy had a plan from the french time for Da to get an international airport please find Pappy plan.
It it was skerrit himself who said ” we can’t afford an international airport and it would reckless of us to build one.
Yes but you heard him said on Tuesday that if we have to pay for it then it will not be built.He spoke in English and not dutch.
Reckless of us to borrow money at commercial rates (9, 10%) to build an international airport. he always said thathe was lookinhg foe grant funding and or the “Build, Operate, Trasnfer (BOT) mechanism to finance the airport. Even then with such a facilityin place, it will still be a very expensive undertaking for Dominica. When the others promoted the project no one asked the question about the funding. Strange fellows we make.
Wait…we can take loans for a State house, Stadium, and so many other projects, but for this we need to get it free? The one project that would be worth the cost as it would directly impact the ease of transporting goods and people to a severely under-populated country with over-priced goods? We have received loans for frivolous and neccesary disaster-relief projects alike…why should we be hopeful we will get a “free” airport? And again, if we are to be hopeful to get this fully financed, why not start working on it ten years ago? why wait till the eve of an election?
I have been praying for an int’l airport since my first flight home to the canefield airport where my ears darn near exploded. I would totally vote for the DLP if they were seriously and actively pursuing this, but it is clear we are being toyed with on such a critical issue, and that is just shameful!