KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC -Argyle International Airport Inc (AIA) is seeking to reassure passengers that “all appropriate measures” have been put in place to support safe flight operations after the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) last weekend issued a Notice to Airmen/Air Missions (NOTAM) temporarily downgrading the Argyle International Airport (AIA).
The move forced the cancellation or delay of several flights over the last weekend, and the AIA was informed on Sunday that it had been temporarily downgraded to accommodate aircraft with a maximum take-off weight below 225,000lbs.
In a statement, AIA said it wished to reassure the travelling public, airline partners and stakeholders “that it continues to actively monitor, assess and maintain all critical airside infrastructure, including runways, taxiways and aprons in accordance with international aviation safety standards.
“AIA is currently undertaking a series of scheduled technical assessments, preventative and corrective maintenance activities,” it added.
The measure follows ongoing problems with holes appearing in the runway, with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reporting on the issue since February, noting how quickly they are patched.
On Saturday night, CMC witnessed a Miami-bound American Airlines flight, AA3098, a Boeing 737-823, taxing out to the runway around 5:24 pm (local time). The aircraft then turned around and taxied back to the ramp.
Two pick-up trucks then drove to a section of the runway, and the occupants exited, appeared to be picking up items from the surface, and placing them in plastic buckets.
Inquiries by CMC later revealed that the aircraft had refused to take off because of a hole that had appeared in the runway.
The situation delayed a Caribbean Airlines flight, BWA554 to New York, a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which departed the airport at 7:56 pm.
However, the American Airlines flight was cancelled because the crew had exhausted their duty time.
AIA, in its statement, said that in keeping with “its proactive safety management approach,” it took a precautionary decision on December 7 to temporarily limit the operating weight of aircraft using the runway…to allow works to be conducted.
It said, following the completion of these works, “normal runway operations were fully restored on Monday.
The AIA said that the airport engineering, operations, and safety teams, supported by regional and international technical partners, “remain fully engaged in ongoing assessments and maintenance activities.
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