As more and more people continue to fly direct to Anguilla on private executive jets from the United States, Europe and even far away places like Russia, the parking space at Wallblake Airport has become a matter to think about.

On an ordinary day it is sometimes a challenge to park up the gleaming jets. At holiday times, and other special occasions, it is a headache to find space for the aircraft. The just-ended Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, when jet travel to Anguilla was at its highest level, staff members of Lloyd’s Aviation Services were scratching their heads. Much to their credit, training and experience, however, they did an excellent job with the help of special electronic equipment to tour and maneuver the planes into some very smart and interesting angled positions. Needless to say they attracted a good deal of praise by the many onlookers who visited the airport daily to see the movements of the jets.

To New York with ten passengers from Altamer Resort

It is a year ago since the commissioning of the extended runway by Lagan Holdings Limited of the United Kingdom. In addition to the main area of the 5,450-foot improved airstrip, there was a 63,000 square-foot apron extension to accommodate the parking of between five and seven aircraft, including small private jets. Within the twelve months however, officials in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Public Utilities have to go back to the drawing board to provide additional parking space both for the jets and other aircraft.

A section of the jets at Wallblake Airport

Ministers of Government have already visited the airport to look at the problem. Permanent Secretary in the above Ministry, Kenn Banks, told The Anguillian that the intention is to extend the parking area towards the west – a decision taken last year but which was not followed through because of the high cost involved amounting to almost three and a half million dollars. The idea now is to do the work in three stages at a cost of about a million dollars.

A Global Express Aircraft - the largest jet to fly to Anguilla

Mr. Banks said the 150,000 square foot extension of the parking area would require the removal of the small water tower and a section of the fire services training area in the vicinity of the Control Tower. According to him, the congestion at the current parking area is not only caused by jets bringing passengers to stay in Anguilla but also by those diverted to the island by the Control at Juliana Airport in St. Maarten with transit passengers to St. Barths.

Some of the many jets parked at Wallblake Airport

Monday, January 2, saw the largest number of jets arriving in and departing Anguilla as their passengers ended their holidays at various hotels and villas on the island. The Control Tower at Wallblake Airport reported well over 40 jet movements. The airspace in the area was so busy that a number of the planes experienced long delays at the runway awaiting clearance from the airport towers in St. Maarten and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On the ground at Wallblake, Lloyd’s Aviation Services personnel were extremely busy not only parking up the jets as mentioned above, but handling passenger and baggage movements, arranging accommodation where necessary and refueling aircraft. Over the past days the planes flew in from various parts of the United States. There were also jets registered in Portugal and Germany. One of them came in direct from Russia with one passenger who preferred to fly for eleven hours to escape the hassles of stops and other delays. One of the outbound jets left for New York with ten passengers who were guests at Altamer Resort.

President of Lloyd Aviation Services, David Lloyd, told The Anguillian that he and his staff were coping well with the situation and he was pleased to report that all of his services, as the Fixed Base Operator dealing with the jet planes, were fully in place. He spoke as the company’s brand new fuel delivery facilities with Jetgas (for the jet aircraft) and Avgas (for his vehicles as well as for small ordinary planes) stood by ready to serve.

No parking space for this light aircraft

His son, Darlon, 17, a licenced pilot, working with the company, said he was excited about the services being provided to the jets.

Young Darlon Lloyd servicing one of the jets

For Mr. David Lloyd and his staff, it is usually a long and demanding day at Wallblake Airport but they are enjoying rendering the excellent services expected of them. A further extension of the parking area for the jet aircraft will enable them to provide an even better service and Wallblake Airport will also get better reviews as one of the best airports in the neighbouring islands.

David LLoyd with one of his fuel supply facilities

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