The current Cheddi Jagan International Airport, (CJIA) Timehri terminal building cannot meet peak traffic demand, according to the contract for the US$138M airport expansion project, which says that a modern facility is crucial to support the development of the tourism industry.
The expansion project, which is being undertaken by Chinese engineering firm China Harbour and Engineering Company (CHEC), is also expected to see a reduction of airport operating costs, improve airport efficiency and increase passenger comfort. It includes the construction of modern facilities; a new two-storey terminal building, west of the existing one and several air-bridges to link aircraft to the new terminal; and the extension of the primary runway by an additional 1,066 meters. It is set to be completed over a 32-month period.
In November last year, CHEC announced in the Jamaican media that it had secured the contract, saying that the China Exim Bank will fund the construction of the modern terminal building and the extension of the runway. The project raised eyebrows when made public by the Jamaica Gleaner, since there was no announcement of the tender process made locally for the project. At the same time, there was no explanation of why single-sourcing might have been absolutely essential for the project as well as no engagement with the public.
According to the contract, tabled in the National Assembly last week, the government has identified tourism as a priority in the country’s economic development plan and has recognised the improvement of the CJIA as being of paramount importance in order to promote a sustainable tourism industry.
At the moment, the document says, the existing terminal building is not capable of meeting the demands of peak traffic and neither is it capable of achieving such a feat if extended. The authorities noted that the building’s ability to generate revenue from concessions, airline office space as well as ticket counter usage, is also limited. “Expansion capabilities of the existing terminal are compromised due to the current terminal configurations,” it was noted in the contract.
As regards the two existing runways at the airport, the contract says the primary runway, considering its length and width, is limited to accommodate the range and size of aircraft types that can use the airport. Against this backdrop, the expansion project is aimed at enlarging the runway to provide greater levels of comfort and safety for the travelling public as well as to allow for emergency diversions. It is also expected to lower operating costs for cargo and passengers while state-of-the- art technology, including security screening, communications, baggage handling and other systems, is to add towards the enhancement of the port of entry.
Following the expansion project, the airfield will fit into Class 4E of the international standards for airports, the contract states. Works to the airfield will include the construction of a turning area for aircraft at the extended runway end, the installation of navigation facilities as well as construction of a service vehicle lane and emergency facilities, such as fire fighting systems.
The new terminal building will be divided into two parts, inclusive of a departure lounge/gates as well as an arrival concourse. The two floor structure will house space for concessions, airline back-of-counter office space, immigrations, customs, ground transportation, twenty (20) check-in counters as well as a passenger drop off zone. A Flight Information Display System, CCTV camera network, fire alarm and linkage control system will further add to the appearance of the new facility.
The commencement date of extension work s will be determined by the availability of an advance payment of 15% of the cost of the contract. Works will commence 21 days after the sum is made available to the contractor. The contractor is also expected to lodge a performance security of 10% of the cost accepted contract sum. The contract is bound by a 365 days defects notification period as payment of US$7,000 per day for delay damages for the works.
The CJIA corporation recently upgraded the navigation systems at Timehri, which included the installation of a new Instrument Landing System (ILS) landing aid which was built by Canadian engineering company IntelCan as part of a $700M upgrade. The equipment will have to shifted from its present position at the end of the existing runway, a source noted, and may require additional testing, as well as financing, when the time arrives.
