ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A major advance was made on last week within the Aviation industry with the official signing of an International Sister Airports Agreement between the V.C. Bird International Airport and the Miami International Airport.
The ceremony which took place on Sunday, August 26 saw representatives of the Airport Authority as well as the Ministry of Civil Aviation gathered together with the Hon. Harold Lovell Minister of Aviation, who signed the document, along with Mr. Ted Isaac Chairman of the Antigua Airport Authority.
Minister Lovell and Jose Diaz Signs agreement
Commissioner of the Miami Dade County the Hon. Jose “Pepe” Diaz, and Director of the Miami Dade County Aviation Department, Jose Abreu, signed on behalf of the Miami International Airport.
The agreement officially linked the Miami International Airport and the V.C. Bird International Airport allowing for the exchange of information pertaining to cargo and passenger movement in each airport, historical statistical information pertaining to each airport; planned airport infrastructure developments, and general marketing research aimed at increasing passenger and cargo traffic at both airports among other things.
The agreement also allows for both parties to consider the creation of a working group, made up of a limited number of representatives from each party, for the express purpose of putting in practice the intentions of the agreement.
Minister Lovell estimates a period of approximately four (4) weeks for consultations to take place regarding the configuration of this working committee.
Already, eyes are set on developments concerning gaining a direct airline route to Miami and according to the Aviation Minister; plans are in an advanced stage in this regard.
“Our agreement here today comes at a time when this ministry is seeking to re-introduce direct Miami Antigua services to enable us to tap into Miami’s vital and direct linkages to the U.S. and Latin America and to increase direct access to Miami as a commercial and business center.” Minister Lovell stated.
He continued, “This agreement is an important building block of that effort and will enable us to expand our tourism and investment marketing and promotional efforts in the US.
Miami captures 50% of all U.S. Caribbean Trade with an estimated amount of $10 million dollars and currently the Miami International Airport is undergoing a 6.2 billion dollar expansion project, likewise for the V.C. Bird International Airport which has just seen major expansion and renovation work mainly for ICC Cricket World Cup earlier this year.
These adjustments enabled the facility to accommodate record numbers of passengers for Carnival’s Golden Jubilee celebrations just concluded a few weeks ago.
Commissioner of Aviation for the Miami Dade County, Jose Diaz noted that there are huge economic and intellectual benefits to be derived from a collaboration such as this, and a major component is the flavor of understanding cultures.
Minister Lovell commended Mr. Miguel Southwell for his vision and hard work in helping to bring the Sister Agreement to fruition. Southwell is a native Antiguan who holds the position of Assistant Director of the Miami Dade Aviation Department.
