Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says the James F. Mitchell Airport on the Grenadine island of Bequia is expected reopen today (Monday). The airport, which has been closed since July 1 due to Hurricane Beryl, suffered considerable infrastructure damage, including moderate roof damage and a major breakdown of the stone barrier defence.
Repair and Cleanup Efforts
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves detailed the repair and cleanup efforts in Parliament. The work included:
- Debris Removal: Heavy equipment was used to remove large amounts of debris from the runway and surrounding areas.
- Seawall Reinforcement: The stone seawall defense was severely compromised and required reinforcement.
- Communication Restoration: The airport faced significant communication challenges, including a lack of internet and telephone services, which were critical for safe air traffic control operations.
- Weather Challenges: Rain and waterlogged conditions delayed the cleanup efforts, making it difficult for heavy equipment to operate.
Timeline of Events
- July 1: Airport closed due to Hurricane Beryl.
- July 2: Initial damage report received, indicating minor roof damage and severe seawall compromise.
- July 11: Restoration of the bay high side by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority technician.
- August 9: Realignment of the antenna and solar panels on the automatic weather station, restoring real-time wind data.
- August 15-19: Continued cleanup efforts hampered by rain and waterlogged conditions.
- August 23: Final debris removal and grading of the grass strip scheduled.
- August 24: Final checks scheduled.
- August 26: Airport set to reopen.
The reopening of the JF Mitchell Airport marks a significant milestone in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl, but ongoing work is needed to ensure the long-term resilience of the airport’s infrastructure.
