New specialized airport fire tenders designated for the Grenadine islands of Bequia and Union Island have arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The equipment was purchased through a US $1.6 million allocation in the 2024 budget under the former ULP administration, with an initial payment of US $400,000 made following the budget approval.
The arrival aligns with timelines previously presented to Parliament by then-Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who stated that procuring specialized airport fire tenders requires a long lead time of 18 to 24 months, estimating arrival between late 2025 and 2026.
The initial procurement decision in 2024 addressed legacy equipment challenges and maintenance delays, which had previously caused temporary operational disruptions and closures at Bequia’s J.F. Mitchell Airport
