BRADES, Montserrat --
The recent opening of a $1.2 million air terminal on Montserrat
signals how far the Caribbean island has come since the 1997
Soufriere Hills volcanic eruptions.
Officials indicated
that the airports new runway should be in operation by
May.
The government
recently awarded a two-year contract to Winair to operate scheduled
flights between Montserrat and Antigua on 19-seater Twin Otter
aircraft.
Montserrats original
W.H. Bramble airport was abandoned in June 1997 following elevated
levels of volcanic activity in the area. Since that time, transport
into and out of Montserrat has been by ferry and
helicopter.
Britains Princess Anne
officially opened the new air terminal. Montserrat is a British
Overseas Territory, and the terminal construction was financed by
the U.K.s Dept. for International Development and the European
Union.
John Osborne,
Montserrats communications and works minister, said the airport and
its facilities are the single most important ingredients for
reviving Montserrats stricken economy. The opening of the new
terminal building marks the rebirth of the hospitality associated
with air travel to and from Montserrat.
To contact
reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].