A consultant from the Dutch from the Dutch Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Ton Francis was on Saba last week for further studies to verify if Saba’s airport meets the requirements according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) before completing a comprehensive Master Plan about Juancho Yrausquin International Airport.
Mr. Francis said that main aim of his visit this time was to find out what recommendations are necessary to upgrade Aviation Safety, of particular concern was the quality of Runway Markings, Lighting ; determining if they meet ICAO regulations. also what obstacles are there, and whether the equipment necessary for the operation of the aerodrome meets the required specifications. If the investigations conclude that there are deficiencies at the airport, then the master plan will establish what it will cost to make the necessary upgrades.
While many changes that will be made may not be visible to the average airport user, a very visible change will be the removal of the hill at the end Runway 12, the runway most often used for landings at the airport. The CAA has determined that the hill is an obstacle to aircraft making use of the runway for landings.
One point stressed by Mr. Francis is that the airport will not be made to conform to European standards, but will have to meet the minimum international regulations outlined by ICAO as that is the standard in the region. Also local expertise will be used where it concerns any changes, particularly those that will require physical changes to the aerodrome, this was a point discussed with the Executive Council, with whom there was an extensive consultation.
The Master Plan will be ready by March 1st, and funding once it is approved by the Dutch Government, should be realized in the 1st half of this year. Once all planning is finalized, the execution phase will begin approximately one year later.