Prime Minister Gonsalves at a recent press conference sought to explain doubts concerning the regulatory environment that govern the operations of Argyle International Airport.
Gonsalves explained that the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), which has jurisdiction over OECS civil aviation operations.
“ECCAA regulates OECS aerodromes, pilots and other aviation licensing and implements guidelines and regulations that are designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations Agency governing international air navigation and transportation standards”.
‘It is ECCAA that authorised operations of the AIA, and not the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is the national authority which regulates all aspects of civil aviation for the United States of America.’ Prime Minister Gonsalves expounded.
“what the FAA does, because of its importance in air transportation globally, they will ask to come and audit ECCAA…to ensure they maintain their Category 1 status.”
A FAA Category 1 status grants the holder with the right for flights originating from that country or jurisdiction, as in the case of ECCAA, to fly directly into US territories.
The Argyle International Airport will become fully operational at a minute past midnight on February 14th, 2017.
