The Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) has cited shipping delays for fire-fighting aggregates as the reason for its temporary change in status that affects the arrival of larger aircraft.
Despite its efforts to plan ahead for the resumption of international flights this month, the GAA is facing factors outside of its control. Having checked its inventory, the GAA placed an order for additional fire-fighting aggregates (foam/dry chemicals) on 27 August 2020 through its service provider. The GAA was advised of a delivery time of 5 weeks which by calculation, was estimated to be the first week of October.
However, on 7 October 2020 the supplier advised the GAA that due to logistical problems, the shipment of the dry chemicals and foam was booked for departure on Thursday, 15 October 2020. The shipment is therefore expected to arrive in Grenada 7 days later, on 22 October 2020.
As a result of this, the current category status for Crash Fire Rescue capabilities will be affected and will impact airline operators with larger aircraft which fly into Grenada, including, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways
As a responsible aviation entity that focuses on safety and security, and in accordance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the GAA immediately advised airline operators of this issue.
The GAA has maintained constant communication with the airline operators and supplier on this matter as it awaits the shipping and arrival of the fire-fighting aggregates.
General Manager of the GAA, Wendy Francette-Williams gave assurances Tuesday that, “The GAA values airline safety and security as our first priority and we work in compliance with industry standards at all times. The timing of this is unfortunate as Grenada is just resuming international commercial flights after several months. We regret the inconveniences that may be caused to the travelling public, but safety and security remain our foremost guiding principles, therefore the decision taken is the correct one. We look forward to resuming the facilitation of Category E aircraft like those operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in the not too distant future.”
GIS
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How is it I am seeing BA is resuming flights on the 21/10/2020, but this article is saying the foam will not arrive until the 22/10/2020.
Some thing does not add up here ??
I was one of the persons whose BA flight was cancelled just the day before the flight. This situation must have been known weeks and if passengers had been told in advance we wouldn’t have wasted money on doing the required PCR Test, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE.. I subsequently took BAs advice and booked on a flight to Grenada via Barbados, paid for a taxi to Gatwick Airport only to be told on arrival that they wouldn’t allow me on the flight because Barbados requires a PCR test to have been taken no more than 3 days prior to flying with no exceptions (my test was 7 days old as per Grenada protocols). So I had to fork out for another taxi back home. I have since tried to book a flight via Barbados for next week and the prices have now doubled. The little person always loses out when up against the powers that be!!!
The incompetence of Grenada aviation authority has caused misery to hundreds of people. I can only hope they feel the embarrassment, this fiasco is and learn from this totally unacceptable situation.
This is something A Government dont wait till it runs out . The management must take full responsibility and reprimand for their incompetence . Quite frankly I thought Grenada had better leadership. For the record when people like me and others comment on these issues I know some people take it personally. However it isnt most of is care about Grenada and it not only Grenada that have government as ours it’s a worldwide thing but Grenada time to step up and take the criticism its serious.
This sounds like incompetence on the part of management.
This can’t be the first time they’ve ordered these supplies, they should be aware of the shipping times and factored in the covid19 effect.
They should also be checking their stock on a regular basis considering how important these items are.
They’re coming across as a bunch of amateurs.
Once more it seems, we’re the laughing stock of the Caribbean.