The Airports Authority of T&T has announced a $90 million plan to develop land for an AeroPark near Piarco International Airport.The park will be similar to other aero parks in the world, featuring air transport service companies and other businesses.
Airports Authority chairman Joel Julien told reporters the city-like development, at no incremental cost to taxpayers, will bring revenue to the next government. He said this is not a project that will indebt the government post-2015, as companies leasing land in the park will bear their own costs.When asked during a question and answer session, Julien could not give lease rates or duration.
Neighbouring communities will be affected positively, the chairman said. "It will mean jobs," for villages like St Helena and Kelly, he said.He could not give a sod turning or completion date. A graphic representation of what the park will look like was shown.A call for requests for proposals is also now being advertised in the press. He said cargo companies are those first invited to submit RFPs.
Julien said the park will be the new home of the headquarters of Caribbean Airlines. He said the falling price of oil only underscores the need for diversification of the economy.Julien said the AATT is not looking at any plans for a new airport in central Trinidad, when asked. He said the airstrip at Camden, however, has been upgraded.