00:00The countdown to the opening of Tobago's new A&R Robinson International Airport Terminal
00:06is officially underway. NITCO has completed the handover of certifications, warranty documents
00:12and operating manuals to the Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation and the
00:19Airport's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago marking the transition and construction to operations.
00:25The handover ceremony was attended by Minister of Works and Infrastructure Gillian John,
00:31Chief Secretary Fali Augustin, Tourism Secretary Zareesha Hackett and senior officials from NITCO.
00:37The milestone signals that the project has moved into its final operational stage ahead of its official opening.
00:45They had to open the airport. That's why I went over there with the Minister.
00:48They were there with the Minister Transport. So yes, they are moving toward that and the Chief Secretary was there.
00:54So collaboratively, they have already come up with a date. So you don't worry, the airport is going to be
01:00open.
01:01Minister John says the fuel supply arrangements have been addressed through an interim solution
01:07to ensure aircraft operations can commence without delay.
01:12They have a mechanism to treatment in the short term.
01:16This week we are going to have a meeting with all of the stakeholders and that now is the medium
01:23term, the longer term fix in terms of the infrastructure for that.
01:30In the meantime, they have a solution. So that wouldn't keep that open at the airport.
01:35At the same time, Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Fali Augustin is expected to roll out an aggressive marketing
01:43campaign aimed at attracting new airlines and increasing direct airlift to the island.
01:51Millions of people should be coming into Tobago. It's just so beautiful and diverse in that beauty.
01:56So the Chief Secretary has indicated they have a very aggressive marketing plan. He's very focused on that.
02:02I can see that the Secretary for Tourism was there also.
02:06So, you know, they're very focused on this.
02:08So we had a very, very positive meeting this morning and all of that will be transferred into very short
02:15term action.
02:16Minister John says Cabinet has already been updated on the airport's operationalization, bringing the billion dollar project another step closer
02:26to opening its doors.
02:28Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
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