Work on a project to extend the runway at the VC Bird International Airport is now completed, according to a press release.

According to the statement, officials are very pleased with the end product.

With the contract signed in early March of 2008, work began shortly thereafter and consisted mainly of the excavation of all soft top soil, with the sub base being filled with approximately 18 feet of material up to formation.

The total extension work covers about 300 metres and was done in two parts.

Some 130 metres of surface was covered with concrete while the remainder was covered in asphalt. The importance of this exercise is such that the Turning Bay Area now totally consists of concrete; 14 inches thick and can accommodate an A380 aircraft if needs be.
“The A380 aircraft is currently the largest aircraft in operation worldwide and although these aircraft do not come to Antigua presently we are prepared for any eventually.

This shows that the Turning Bay Area is now much bigger than before,”
According to B.T. Lewis, Airport Authority consultant engineer, the approximate cost of the runway extension work is US$6.6 million. Lewis said that overall runway work which will be inclusive of total runway resurfacing, provision of parking apron facilities etc could total an overall 48 million USD.

“It s a relief to have travelled as far as we have and I think it’s a wonderful job. It will please Antiguans and Barbudans for a lifetime,” Ken Hurst CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority stated.

An official ceremony to mark the completion of the run-way extension will take place this morning and will be attended by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, Minister of Civil Aviation Harold Lovell as well as other key aviation and tourism officials.

The expansion work on the airport runway was done by Andrade Guiterrez, contractors based in Brazil.