Barbados international airport resumes operations

The Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) in Barbados reopened on Wednesday after the authorities said a faulty runway edge lights circuit had resulted in the closure of the main runway on Tuesday evening.

“We reopened and the British Airways flight that was parked on the ground departed Barbados some time just after 9.00 this morning. The American Airlines flight that didn’t leave Miami is on its way to Barbados. The Virgin Atlantic flight which was due from London, it went to Antigua and it’s coming in this afternoon and then to pick up passengers and to go the UK,” Tourism and International Transport Minister, Ian Gooding-Edghill, told reporters.

Gooding-Edghill said the situation had affected several incoming and outgoing flights at the airport, but the authorities had been able to ensure the departures of Air Canada (AC 963) and British Airways (BA 254) flights safely.

Gooding-Edghill said the electrical team at the airport is assessing the situation to see where the fault occurred and as a result, the Civil Aviation Department issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) to alert the airlines and air operators of the issue and advise them of the runway closure.

Several flights, including those from Europe, North America, the Caribbean, have been affected and the electrical teams on the ground are working assiduously to assess and repair the damage”.

He said a report will be issued later on Wednesday, acknowledging that “this interruption will impact both international travelers and Barbadians using the airport.

He said however that the airport re-opened on Wednesday at 6.06 a.m. to inbound and departing flights.

CMC/