I always feel a sense of pride and belonging whenever I see my beloved island home showing some progress and also when the occasion presents itself to recognise our people (though rarely) for their hard work and contributions.

It is in this vein that I salute the re-naming of the airport in honour of our much-loved and illustrious late national, Captain Clayton J. Lloyd. I commend the Honourable Evan Gumbs for his initiative and foresight.

I have only one problem and that is with the addition of “International” to the name of the airport. Clearly, this is a misnomer; it is misleading and certainly will be ignored by regional and international civil aviation organisations and airlines.

There is no way that Anguilla can boast of having an international airport, irrespective of the fact that executive jets fly to the island. As a matter of fact, the required run-off safety end has not even been constructed at the eastern extremity of the runway, and there has been talk in Government circles to give back the land to the Lakes.

Moreover, the ruling Anguilla United Movement Government, back in office after ten years, is talking loudly about its long-held desire of building an international airport in Brimigen, on the north coast of Anguilla, where land has now become a premium for hotel, villa and residential development. While there may be a case for a better and expanded airport runway in Anguilla, we should not have become carried away by calling our present airport “International.”

In listening to the Air Traffic Coordinator at the Juliana International Airport, speaking at the re-naming ceremony, she carefully avoided the word “International” and correctly called the aerodrome the “Clayton J. Lloyd Airport.” Her profession, and the reality of the situation, could not allow her to do less.

The specifications of the airport are registered with civil aviation organisations and airline companies everywhere, and nobody will send passengers or aircraft to an airport merely because it is called an international airport. It must have the necessary criteria.
I recall, some years ago, I was at West End and I shuddered to see a big jet plane levelling off to land at Wallblake Airport instead of at Juliana International Airport until, thankfully, it was diverted to St. Maarten where it landed safely. It is important that unfamiliar pilots flying in our airspace understand clearly the size and limitations of our airport.

What is interesting is that the Government has re-named the airport when so much has been said about its unsuitability and the need to build an international airport at Brimigen. Now that the airport has been re-named in honour of our late beloved Captain Clayton J. Lloyd, the plea of everybody should be that it be substantially improved in length, appearance and service to reflect the enterprising nature and industry of our fallen aviation hero. Not to do so, and to allow the airport to deteriorate, would be a dishonour to him, and to call his name in vain.

To remove the word “International” from the sign at the entrance of the airport would be the right thing to do. That would be a move towards transparency and accountability and a way to avoid controversy.

Observer

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